Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Habitat
Ground
Diet
Invertebrate
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
21 g
About This Species
A graceful aerial forager, this swallow is best watched skimming low over open water, fields and wetlands where it catches flying insects on the wing, often in loose flocks. Its iridescent blue-green back and clean white underparts flash in sunlight during fast, swooping flight. Spring and summer near lakes, rivers or nest-box colonies offer the most reliable and active viewing.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because this species nests in cavities and readily uses nest boxes, keep a respectful distance from active boxes during the breeding season to avoid causing adults to abandon a clutch.
- It is protected under general migratory bird laws across most of its breeding range, which prohibit disturbing active nests.
- Watching flight behaviour from a distance over open water is both easier and less disruptive than approaching nesting sites.
LCAvesPasseriformesHirundinidae
Seasonal Activity
7,944,119 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Hirundinidae
Traits
- Diet
- Invertebrate
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 21 g
Photo
no rights reserved, uploaded by Carter Dorscht
CC0-1.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.