Tree Swallow - Photos by Bruce Dayton - Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Hirundinidae (Swallows - 8 Species)
SPECIES: Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

Tree Swallow
Tree Swallow populations have been impacted with the clearing of forests and associated nest cavities. Starling and House Sparrow population increases have also impacted on Tree Swallow populations. Tree Swallows have accepted artificial nest cavities, such as Bluebird nest boxes. This has helped to maintain populations in many regions, but in some areas declines are still occurring. They are normally the first swallows to return to their nesting grounds.
SIZE	The Tree Swallow is a medium-sized (5-6") swallow.
DESCRIPTION	The Tree Swallow has iridescent blue-green (metallic blue with a greenish sheen) upperparts, white underparts, and the tail is dark and forked. Although their bills are short, their mouths are wide for capturing flying insects. The female and juvenile usually have duller colors than the male, often more greenish than the more bluish male.
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 4-6 eggs, which are incubated in 13 to 15 days. Tree Swallows nest in natural or artificial cavities near water, including Bluebird boxes. The nest consists of small twigs and dry grasses that is lined with large feathers.
RANGE	The Tree Swallow breeds over most of North America, from Alaska through Newfoundland and the northern states. Winters in the southern U.S., Mexico and Central America.
HABITAT	Preferred Habitats include open areas near water, such as fields, ponds, marshes, meadows and beaver ponds.
DIET	Their main diet consists of flies, ants, beetles, bees, wasps, grasshoppers and other insects. Swallows are excellent fliers and acrobatically catch insects in their bills in mid-air (Aerial Insectivores). Eating seeds and berries help swallows to survive bad weather in early spring, when insects aren't available.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.




Tree Swallow

Savannah Spring Lake Road Wayne County, New York


TrSw_258T_027067	TrSw_258T_027074

Tree Swallow Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes