Tachycineta thalassina
Violet-green Swallow
photo needed!
Photo © Marie Read
Violet-green Swallows breed over an extended range of western North America, from Alaska south to northern Mexico. This species is most common in montane habitats, in open deciduous and coniferous woodlands, although is found at lower elevations in the northern parts of the range (e.g. Alaska). Violet-green Swallows are migratory, wintering from southern Baja California to northern Central America. It is the earliest swallow to appear on the breeding grounds in the early spring, arriving in northern areas in early April.

This is the focal species (along with the Tree Swallow) at the Lee Vining Golondrinas Site in the Eastern Sierra.

Violet-green Swallows may forage very high in the air column, but also will feed low over meadows and open water.

Breeding commences in early May in the southern parts of the range, and by the end of May at the more northern latitudes. Nest sites commonly include crevices in granite or lava cliffs, and nests are sometimes densely aggregated. Violet-green Swallows will also use a variety of secondary cavities, including the burrows of bank swallows. Nests are constructed of fine grasses, twigs and straw, and are lined with feathers.

Typical clutch sizes are four to six eggs (but may be smaller in the races breeding in Sonora Mexico and Baja). Incubation is 14-15 days, with eggs hatching asynchronously. The nestling period is about 23 days.

Violet-green Swallows usually rear only a single brood in a season.