Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina

Violet-green Swallows are commonly seen swooping across the meadow in undulating movements. Their aerial displays include sudden changes in direction, dives and speed. Pointed “airplane-shaped” wings and streamlined torsos aid in these flight aerobics. While in the air, they are catching insects.

Description:

Upper parts (back, head and wings) are an iridescent purple-green. An all-white belly, breast and rump patches, extends above eye. 4-6 inches. (10-15 cm).

Voice:

A chee-chee call made near the nest is given during alarm and aggressive interactions. Also, a cheery twittering; tsp tsp tsp is heard.

Food:

Feed in small groups. Mainly insects caught in flight. They are often seen flying low over the meadow in Long Valley. Sometimes they forage on the ground on an accumulation of insects such as mayflies.

Nest:

They nest in tree cavities or holes in cliffs. They may squabble over nesting locations due to scarcity of choice sites. Nest made of straw, grasses, string and hair, lined with feathers. Average clutch 4-6 pure white eggs. Incubation lasts 14 days; young fledge after 23 days.

Habitat:

Open and semi-wooded areas near bodies of water.

Range:

Violet-green Swallows are found in western North America and Mexico including Baja California.

Migration:

When insects are less plentiful in fall and winter, swallows migrate south to Mexico and Central America. They begin their return trip back to the mountains in late winter and cmay be seen in Chino Canyon beginning in February and March.

Comments:

Like other swallows, they live in colonies and feed communally. In large numbers, they can detect and defend against predators (generally hawks).

Photo Courtesy of Tom Grey

3/20/21/ok