tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 5 inches

• Tiny bill

• Iridiscent blue-green upperparts

• White underparts

• Forked tail

• Female duller than male

• Juvenile dull brown above and may have hint of a gray breast band

• Most often seen flying

• Nests in cavities near water

• Often found in large flocks

Similar species:

The tree swallow is most similar to the violet-green swallow. The violet-

green swallow has white patches that extend further onto the sides of the

rump, a white area that extends behind and over the eye and greener up-

perparts. Bank and northern rough-winged swallows look similar, espe-

cially in Fall. Bank swallow is smaller, this feature is especially notice-

able as mixed flocks of swallows often sit on telephone wires. Bank has

a dark breast band that is lacking or indistinct in the tree swallow. From

above, bank swallow has a paler rump that contrasts with the darker back

and tail where the tree swallow is uniformly-colored. Northern rough-

winged swallow has a dusky throat and warmer brown upperparts than

the tree swallow. Swallows often call in flight and these calls are excellent

clues to identification.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: N/A
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Cavity
Clutch Size: 3-8
Length of Incubation: (13-)16 days
Days to Fledge: 20 (16-24)
Number of Broods: 1, rarely 2
Diet: Primarily insects; lesser quantities of fruit

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November O

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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