Violet-green Swallow Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  Violet-green Swallows are small sleek birds with long pointed wings and slightly forked tails. Their wingtips extend beyond their short tail—especially noticeable when perched.

  Relative Size

  About the same size as a Bank Swallow, but smaller than a Barn Swallow.

  sparrow-sized or smaller

  Measurements

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

  © Brian Sullivan / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  On first look, Violet-green Swallows appear dark above and crisp white below. In good light, the greenish-bronze back and iridescent violet rump come to life. All individuals have white bellies that wrap around to the upper side of the rump, creating "saddlebags." Males have white cheek patches while females and juveniles have dusky cheeks. Juveniles have grayish-brown backs and crowns.

• Behavior

  Violet-green Swallows are graceful aerial acrobats that fly at various heights, often over water bodies, in search of flying insects. When not foraging Violet-green Swallows perch on wires or exposed tree branches. They are social songbirds and occur in groups with other swallows and swifts.
• Habitat

  Violet-green Swallows breed in open woodlands including deciduous, evergreen, and mixed species woodlands, especially where old cavity-filled trees occur. They also frequent lakes and streams where they forage for flying insects.