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Tree Swallow
(Tachycineta bicolor)
Banded May 25, 1998 - Carmel, Indiana
General Information
The attractive Tree Swallow breeds over most of North America, and winters in the
extreme southern US and Central America as far south as Honduras. They spend their days
coursing over meadows, ponds, rivers, and lawns at about 19 to 25 mph snatching up flies,
ants, beetles, bees, wasps, grasshoppers and other insects. They also eat weed seeds and
bayberries. It is one of the most aggressive of the swallows, and the male will defend a
relatively large territory around the nest site.
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The adult male is metallic blue with a
greenish sheen on the upper side. Under parts are pure white. |
Figure 1 - Male Tree Swallow
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Figure 2 - Female Tree Swallow
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The adult female is similar to the male, but
a bit more dull in color. |
The female Tree Swallow is the only female
North American passerine that retains her immature plumage into her first breeding season
and sometimes into her second. (Stokes & Stokes 1996). Her immature plumage is quite
brownish, but may show some blue-green on the back and wings (Turner & Rose 1989).
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Figure 3 - Breeding Female with Immature Plumage
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Figure 4 - Tree Swallow Nest
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The nest is constructed of dry grasses and
twigs lined with large feathers. The female does most of the nest construction, but the
male collects the large feathers. |
From 4 - 6 white eggs, incubated by the
female, hatch in about 13-16 days. |
Figure 5 - Tree Swallow Eggs
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Figure 6 - Tree Swallow Chicks
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The young are born blind. Both parents feed
the young who leave the nest in 16 to 24 days. |
The adult female plumage is similar to the
male but a bit duller. |
Figure 7 - Adult Female Tree Swallow
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Figure 8 - Primary Flight Feathers
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Flight feathers are sooty black but with a
slight greenish tinge. |
Tail feathers of the adult female are sooty
black. The tail is only slightly forked. |
Figure 9 - Female Tree Swallow Tail Feathers
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Figure 10 - Tree Swallow Leg
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The legs are short but the feet are well
developed for grasping. |
Banding Recoveries
The Bird Banding Lab web site reports that between 1955 to 1997, a total of 446,653 Tree Swallows were banded. Of these, 3,811
have been recovered, a recovery rate of 0.85%. Banding studies show that Tree Swallows are
short distance migrants, and may live from to 6 to 9 years in the wild. If you should
recover a banded bird, report the band number to the Bird Banding Lab by calling
1-800-327-BAND.
Conservation
Tree Swallow populations have suffered with the clearing of forests and associated nest
cavities. Competition with House Sparrows and Starlings has further impacted Tree Swallow
populations. The use of pesticides and the resulting reduction of insects has also
contributed to their decline. Unusually cold weather during the nesting season also
reduces the availability of insects and can lead to starvation of young and adults.
Fortunately, Tree Swallows readily accept artificial nest cavities, and have benefited
from the placement of Bluebird nest boxes. Their populations are doing well in many
regions, but in some regions declines are still occurring.
Literature Cited
Stokes, D. and L. Stokes. 1996. Stokes field guide to birds. Little Brown & Co.,
Boston.
Turner, A. and C. Rose. 1989. Swallows and Martins. An identification guide and
handbook. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston.
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All images are courtesy of CWBO. All image copyrights are owned by CWBO.
Any use of these images must have permission of CWBO. |
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