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Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassinaOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Swallows (Hirundinidae)

Breeding Location:

Forest edge, Grassland with scattered trees, Mountains



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

4 - 6



Incubation Days:

13 - 14



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Grass and weed stems lined with feathers.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Violet-green Swallow: Small swallow, dark, metallic green upperparts, iridescent purple rump. Face, sides of rump, underparts are white. Tail is slightly forked. Black bill, legs and feet. Swift, graceful flight, alternates several quick wing beats with long glides. Soars on thermals and updrafts.

Range and Habitat

Violet-green Swallow: Breeds from Alaska east to South Dakota, south to southern California and Texas. Spends winters mainly south of the U.S.-Mexico border, but a few winter in southern California. Preferred habitats include forests, wooded foothills, mountains, and suburban areas.

Breeding and Nesting

Violet-green Swallow: Four to six white eggs are laid in a grass-and-feather nest built in a woodpecker or natural cavity, under an eave of a building, or in a nest box. Incubation ranges from 13 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Violet-green Swallow: Diet mainly consists of leafhoppers, beetles, wasps, ants, flies, and bees. Forages in flight, often above the tree canopy; occasionally feeds on the ground.

Vocalization

Violet-green Swallow: Call is a high "dee-chip" given in flight. Also emits a series of varying "tweet" notes.

Similar Species

Violet-green Swallow: Tree Swallow lacks white cheeks and rump.

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Family
Species Tachycineta thalassina
Length5 - 5.25 Inches
Wingspan11.5 Inches

Violet-green Swallow

Violet-green Swallow: Small swallow, dark, metallic green upperparts, iridescent purple rump. Face, sides of rump, underparts are white. Tail is slightly forked. Black bill, legs and feet. Swift, graceful flight, alternates several quick wing beats with long glides. Soars on thermals and updrafts.

● Song: "dee-chip", "tweet"

● Foraging & Feeding: Violet-green Swallow: Diet mainly consists of leafhoppers, beetles, wasps, ants, flies, and bees. Forages in flight, often above the tree canopy; occasionally feeds on the ground.

● Breeding & nesting: Violet-green Swallow: Four to six white eggs are laid in a grass-and-feather nest built in a woodpecker or natural cavity, under an eave of a building, or in a nest box. Incubation ranges from 13 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Violet-green Swallow: Tree Swallow lacks white cheeks and rump.

Flight Pattern

Swift graceful flight.
Violet-green Swallow Body Illustration_2
● Range & Habitat: Violet-green Swallow: Breeds from Alaska east to South Dakota, south to southern California and Texas. Spends winters mainly south of the U.S.-Mexico border, but a few winter in southern California. Preferred habitats include forests, wooded foothills, mountains, and suburban areas.
BreedingMonogamous
Population
MigrationMigratory
Weight0.6 Ounces