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Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassinaOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Swallows (Hirundinidae)
Violet-green Swallow Head Illustration_2

Head

  • Bill Shape: All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Dark sepia brown.
  • Head Pattern: Plain, Unique pattern
  • Crown Color: Metallic dark green
  • Forehead Color: Metallic dark green
  • Nape Color: Metallic dark green
  • Throat Color: White
  • Cere color: No Data
Violet-green Swallow Body Illustration_2

Body

  • Length Range: 13-13 cm (5-5.25 in)
  • Weight: 17 g (0.6 oz)
  • Size: Small (5 - 9 in)
  • Color Primary: Green, White, Sheen or Iridescence
  • Underparts: White
  • Upperparts: Dark metallic green with purple rump.
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Violet-green Swallow Flight Illustration_2

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Swift graceful flight.
  • Wingspan Range: 28-30 cm (11-12 in)
  • Wing Shape: Tapered-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Notched Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Green-black
  • Under Tail: Green-black
  • Leg Color: Black
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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