Violet-green Swallow in April
Where violet-green swallows are in April, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
April in the Violet-green Swallow's year
April is when spring migration hits its stride. Waves of migrants move north on warm southerly winds, wintering birds leave for good, and early nesters are already on eggs in the South. Every week brings species that weren't there the week before.
For the Violet-green Swallow specifically, April is a spring month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 16 states and provinces where violet-green swallows occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where violet-green swallows are in April
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In April, violet-green 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.
Nesting in April
Violet-green swallows are not nesting in April. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes, starting roughly a month earlier in the South.
That makes April a useful month for nest-box work: cleaning out old nesting material, checking mounts and predator guards, and making repairs while boxes are empty. A box that's ready early gets claimed early.
What to feed in April
- Flies and midges
Uses nest boxes in western towns and forests.
Migrants arriving after long flights are hungry — feeders can be genuine lifelines during cold, wet spells that suppress insects.
Watching violet-green swallows this month
Violet-green swallows are settled and predictable in April, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
If you have a Violet-green Swallow box up, this is the month to make sure it's clean, secure and ready — the box guide below has the exact hole size and mounting height this species needs.
Violet-green Swallow month by month
Violet-green Swallow by state
Frequently asked
Where are violet-green swallows in April?
In April, violet-green swallows are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do violet-green swallows nest in April?
No — violet-green swallows typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do violet-green swallows eat in April?
Flies and midges.
Sources
- Violet-green Swallow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Violet-green Swallow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Violet-green Swallow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.