Did you know that tree swallows migrate further north for the winter than other North American swallows?
Tree Swallows
at
a Glance
Key Features:
Tree swallows are blue-gray birds with black wings, black tails, black masks around their eyes, white throats, white chests, and white bellies. Females have brownish throats, chests, and bellies.
Least Concern - Population Stable
Habitat:
Fields, lakes, ponds, and swamps
nesting habits:
Tree swallows build nests in cavities out of aquatic plants, garbage, grass, hair, moss, and pine needles.
seasons tree swallows are active in our area:
Spring, fall
Diet:
Crawfish, eggshells, exoskeletons, fishbones, insects, mollusks, plants, and worms
hunting Behavior:
Tree swallows forage in the air. They forage on the ground in cold weather.
Commonly Confused With:
Bank Swallows, Barn Swallows, Chimney Swifts, Cliff Swallows, Northern Rough-Winged Swallows, Purple Martins, and Vaux’s Swifts
Tree swallows are often confused with barn swallows because they have similar coloration. Tree swallows have white throats and bellies. Barn swallows have red throats and peach bellies.
Tree swallows are often confused with male purple martins because they are blue birds with black wings. Tree swallows are blue-gray and have white throats, chests, and bellies.