The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), or TRES, are beautiful, acrobatic, brave birds.They also eat lots of insects.

A tree swallow perches on a metal pole. Swift, graceful flight, alternates slow, deep wing beats with short or long glides. Turns back sharply on insects it passes.

Tree Swallow. Species of swallow that are threatened with extinction are generally endangered due to habitat loss. The popularity of the bluebird has been a boon to the Tree Swallow, which nests in holes of exactly the same size, and has taken advantage of bluebird houses over much of North America. The genus Tachycineta contains the tree swallows. Seen in pr0ile, this swallow has a sharp line of demarcation between the dark of the head above the eye and the pure white of the rest of the face and underparts. Tree Swallows on the Trail . Tree Swallow life history, biology, ecology and behavior are explored here using a Q and A format with abundant photos and videos to illustrate concepts.

Tree Swallows line their nest with feathers, and more feathers can enhance chick survival. Install a predator guard on the pole to keep predators out.

The northernmost limit of the tree swallow breeding range coincides approximately with the tree line. The nests are usually built in a hole in a tree or in bird houses. Tree Swallow: Medium-sized swallow with iridescent blue-green upperparts and white underparts. Tree Swallows nest in tree cavities; they also readily take up residence in nest boxes. Tree Swallows typically only attempt to raise one brood, and cleaning the box after they're finished makes it available for other species (e.g., bluebirds) that may attempt a second nest attempt.

Black bill, legs and feet. Also, seeds and wild berries. The term Swallow is used colloquially in Europe as a synonym for the barn swallow. The chicks fledge (leave the nest) in about three weeks. The nest is lined with feathers, usually those of waterfowl. Nesting Tree Swallows need nearby bodies of water over which to forage for flying insects. Install a predator guard on the pole to keep predators out. Creating and managing tree swallow nest box projects is a great way to learn about birds close up. The tree swallow is a short-distance migrator. Tree Swallow Habitat Facts About the Tree Swallow Tree Sw4lows are elegant birds with white undersides, iridescent blue-green backs, and moderately forked tails. Requires habitat containing trees with natural cavities for nesting. Tree Swallows seem to prefer south-facing nest boxes, all else being equal. Their habitat is always in close proximity to water; marshes, ponds or swamps are ideal habitats. They chase after flying insects with acrobatic twists and turns, their steely blue-green feathers flashing in the sunlight.

Tree Swallows line their nest with feathers, and more feathers can enhance chick survival. Tree swallows winter in southern North America, primarily in Florida, and along the Caribbean coast of Central America. The eggs hatch in about two weeks. Length: 5 - 6.25" Habitat: Fields, meadows, pastures, open woodlands, and other open areas near water; beaver ponds, wooded swamps and marshes. Creating and managing good tree swallow nest box projects requires understanding their basic characteristics and habitat needs. Behavior: The tree swallow can be found in wet habitats like flooded meadows, marshes, lake shores, streams and open areas near woods.

In regions with no such ready supply of artificial nest sites, the swallows must compete with other cavity-nesting birds, arriving early in spring to stake out territories. The wings are dark gray and tail is dark and forked. Animals Reference. The violet-green swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) is a small North American passerine bird in the swallow family. Photograph by Kent Kobersteen, Nat Geo Image Collection.

Handsome aerialists with deep-blue iridescent backs and clean white fronts, Tree Swallows are a familiar sight in summer fields and wetlands across northern North America.