Cliff Swallow in November

November settles into the winter pattern. Migration tapers to the last hardy stragglers, winter flocks form and start roaming, and birds map out the reliable food sources in their territory. Cold snaps push sudden rushes of activity to feeders.

For the Cliff Swallow specifically, November is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 60 states and provinces where cliff swallows occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.

Southern states

absent

Mid-latitudes

mostly absent (migration only)

Northern states & Canada

absent

In November, cliff swallows are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.

Cliff swallows are not nesting in November. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.

Outside the nesting season, cliff swallows put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.

• Migrates to South America

Builds mud jug nests in dense colonies under bridges and eaves; leave a mud puddle nearby in spring.

Winter flocks are forming their routes now — a feeder kept full from November onward becomes a regular stop.

Full Cliff Swallow diet guide → · Best feeder for cliff swallows →

Cliff swallows are settled and predictable in November, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.

The state guides below show exactly where in your region cliff swallows are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.

AlabamaAlaskaAlbertaArizonaArkansasBritish ColumbiaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineManitoba