Birds Active during the day

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

Meet the emerald acrobat of the Western skies. With its shimmering violet rump and dazzling white face, the Violet-green Swallow is a jewel of the backyard that brings life to the air with its high-speed maneuvers.

1 Sightings

1 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 12 cm (4.7 in); Wingspan: 27 cm (10.6 in); Weight: 14 g (0.5 oz)

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Colors

Iridescent emerald green back and bronze head; violet-purple rump and tail; bright white underparts and face patches that wrap above the eye.

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Key Features

White rump patches that nearly meet over the tail
White facial patches extending above and behind the eye
Deeply notched tail
Streamlined, compact body with long pointed wings

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 8 AM - 11 AM and 4 PM - 7 PM

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Season March-August

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Diet Strictly aerial insectivores that catch flies, beetles, winged ants, and wasps mid-air.

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Habitat Open forests, mountainous canyons, and suburban areas with mature trees or nest boxes.

Sightings on EverydayEarth

Sheep Rock Unit Cam

Apr 21, 2026

A Violet-green Swallow is captured in mid-flight, soaring across the landscape with Sheep Rock visible in the background. The bird's wings are fully extended as it maneuvers through the air.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Violet-green Swallow Live?

Native to the western half of North America, the Violet-green Swallow is a signature species of the Pacific coast and the Rocky Mountains. Its breeding range stretches from the subarctic forests of Alaska and the Yukon down through the western United States and into the highlands of Mexico. As a migratory species, they head south for the winter, settling in Mexico and Central America, where they can be found in a variety of open landscapes and coastal regions.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

6 Countries

4.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States CA Canada MX Mexico GT Guatemala HN Honduras SV El Salvador

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Violet-green Swallow is a master of the air, known for its incredibly agile flight patterns as it weaves through the sky to catch insects on the wing. Unlike many other swallows that might forage low over water, these birds are frequently seen high above the canopy or circling around cliff faces and suburban neighborhoods. They are highly social, often seen in small flocks or nesting in loose colonies where suitable cavities are available.

During the breeding season, they are secondary cavity nesters, meaning they rely on pre-existing holes in trees, cliffs, or man-made nest boxes. They are generally tolerant of humans and will readily move into backyard birdhouses, providing hours of entertainment with their acrobatic displays and soft, twittering songs. Their social structure is complex, often involving cooperative gathering around high-quality nesting sites during the spring migration.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the stunning iridescence of the Violet-green Swallow on your AI-powered camera, placement is everything. Since these are cavity nesters, the most effective strategy is to mount your camera 6–12 inches away from the entrance of a dedicated swallow nest box. Position the camera at a slight side angle to capture the bird's profile as it enters and exits, which helps the AI identify the distinctive white rump patches and facial markings. Avoid pointing the camera directly into the sun to prevent silhouetted shots; instead, aim for light that hits the bird from the side to make those green and violet feathers shimmer.

Unlike many backyard birds, swallows aren't attracted to traditional seed feeders. To draw them into your camera's field of view, provide a 'feather station' during the nesting season. Place a small wire mesh basket filled with clean, white chicken or duck feathers nearby. The swallows will swoop down to grab these for lining their nests, offering fantastic action shots. Additionally, a birdbath with a 'mister' or moving water feature can be a magnet for these birds, as they love to bathe on the wing or drink from the surface while flying.

Set your camera to a high shutter speed or 'Action' mode if available, as their movements are lightning-fast. A high-frame-rate video setting is also recommended to capture their acrobatic landings. Because they are most active during the warmest parts of the day when insects are flying, ensure your camera's motion sensors are primed from sunrise to sunset. In the peak of summer, you might even catch the fledglings peering out of the nest box hole—a perfect moment for a high-resolution still image.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Violet-green Swallow.

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallows lack the white patches above the eye and have a more uniform blue-green back without the purple rump.

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallows have long, deeply forked outer tail feathers and a cinnamon-colored throat and belly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during daylight hours, particularly in the mid-morning and late afternoon when flying insect activity is at its peak. You will often see them swooping low over fields or high above trees during these times.

The best way is to install a specialized nest box (similar to a bluebird house) in an open area. Providing a source of mud and nesting materials like white feathers can also encourage them to settle in your yard.

They are 100% aerial insectivores. They eat various flying insects, including gnats, midges, beetles, and wasps, which they catch with incredible precision while in flight.

Yes, they are very common in suburban areas throughout the Western US and Canada, provided there are suitable nesting cavities or birdhouses and plenty of open space for foraging.

Look at the face and the rump. Violet-green Swallows have white patches that extend above the eye and distinctive white patches on the sides of the rump that almost meet over the tail, unlike the more uniform blue-green of the Tree Swallow.

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