Bird
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolorAlso known as White-bellied Swallow
Tree swallows carve crisp aerial loops over lakes and fields as they snap flying insects mid-air on iridescent wings. These early spring migrants are easily identified by their glossy blue-green backs and stark, snowy white undersides. Before embarking on southbound autumn migrations, hundreds of thousands gather in extraordinary coastal roosts that swirl like smoke across the dusk sky.
MigratoryAerial InsectivoreCavity Nester
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFlies, Mosquitoes, Beetles
Predators
- Merlin
- American Kestrel
- Rat Snake
ThreatsPesticide use reducing insect prey, climate change, competition from invasive House Sparrows
HabitatsOpen fields, marshes, lakeshores, agricultural areas, wet meadows
Life span3–8 years
Classification
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyHirundinidae
- GenusTachycineta
- SpeciesTachycineta bicolor
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Nest Box Placement: Mount nest boxes near open fields or water bodies to attract breeding pairs.
- Binocular Viewing: Scan over lakes and wet meadows on sunny days to watch them forage mid-air.
- Maintain Distance: Give active nest boxes wide berth during late spring incubation.
Nest Competitor Sandysphotos2009 / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative Alan Vernon / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Family Relative (c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Donald Davesne · cc-by
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Species set Pro
Backyard Birds
Tree Swallow is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
Unlock to track progress
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.