Tree Swallow Similar Species Comparison

Adult

Small streamlined songbird with a tiny bill, long, pointed wings and a short, squared or slightly notched tail. Adults are blue-green above and white below with blackish flight feathers.

Immature female

Long-bodied songbird with a small head and bill. First year females may be brownish above with hints of blue-green; adult females can be nearly as blue-green as males.

Adult male and female

Male and female

Frequently nests in artificial nest boxes.

Adult

In flight, note streamlined body, squared or slightly notched tail and broad wings. Adults are blue-green above with a black mask around their eye and tiny white crescents on the sides of their rump.

Adult female with juveniles

Adult

Adult's metallic blue head contrasts with gleaming white underparts.

Immature female

Immature female is mostly brown above, with just a trace of iridescent feathers.

Immature

Juvenile

The wings are broad and the tail is squared or slightly notched. Juveniles are brown above with a small white crescent on the sides of its rump.

Adult

Adults are iridescent blue-green with a thin black mask around the eye.

Flock

Juvenile

Juvenile is brown above and white below. Note the yellow gape typical of the juveniles of many species.

Juvenile

Juveniles are brown above and white below, but some juveniles and females can show a weak, blurry gray-brown breast band.

Adult

Breeds in open habitats such as fields and wetlands, usually adjacent to water. Nests in artificial nest boxes as well as holes in trees.

Flock

Forms large flocks during migration and when foraging over wetlands, water, and agricultural fields.