Managing for wildlife:
Becoming a good wildlife manager requires learning the essentials about the
animal to be managed; where it lives, how it lives, and what it needs to
survive and flourish.  Creating a good Tree Swallow nest box project requires
learning some basic Tree Swallow characteristics and habitat needs.  

What do Tree Swallows look like?
Tree Swallows, (scientific name Tachycineta bicolor), are small songbirds.  
Like all swallows they are fast, agile fliers specialized to catch insects by
mouth in flight.  Tree Swallows show the typical swallow body plan:
  • Slender, streamlined bodies with short necks.
  • Long, pointed wings.
  • Small bills (but mouths that open wide).
  • Very short legs with small feet.












Most adult Tree Swallows can be told from other swallows by their:
  • Shiny blue-green upper body and head.
  • Pure white throat and body underside.
However females in their second calendar year of life (first nesting season)
show a mix of brown and blue-green upper body feathers, like the female
below at right.












Juveniles, young Tree Swallows that have recently left their nests, have
sooty gray upper bodies and slightly duller white under bodies (see below).








Where do Tree Swallows live?
Tree Swallows nest across northern Canada and Alaska south through much of
the northern United States (red areas of the map).  Field guides, bird clubs,
or government conservation departments can tell you if Tree Swallows nest
where you live.  Tree Swallows winter from Florida and the Gulf Coast south
into Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (dark blue areas of the map).










What is Tree Swallow nesting habitat like?
Tree Swallows prefer to nest near or in wetlands, such as marshes, swamps,
beaver ponds and wet meadows. These wetlands are usually open for easy
flight and have lots of insect food.







Perhaps most important, wetlands often have nest sites the swallows need.  
Tree Swallows are cavity-nesters but are unable to make their own cavities.  
They depend on old woodpecker holes or natural cavities in dead trees.  
Because there is almost always a shortage of cavities, Tree Swallows eagerly
accept nest boxes.  Although they are not colonial like some swallows, pairs
will nest near one another provided there are nest sites and the food supply
is good.  This allows us to create multi-box grids at suitable project sites.












You're going to learn a tremendous number of other things about Tree
Swallows, but knowing these basics lets you take your next step: finding a
good location for your nest box project.

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Learn About Birds at Tree Swallow Nest Box Projects
Tree Swallow Basics