Swallows are the high-flying, acrobatic insect-eaters of the daytime, while swifts and nighthawks do the same thing in early evening and night. All of these species are migratory and only visit our region between March and October.
Barn Swallow – Glossy blue above with a rusty throat. Tail is deeply forked. Naturally nested in caves and crevices but now uses barns and bridges instead. (photo © AndyGo )
Cliff Swallow – Blueish back and rusty throat with a white patch on forehead. Less forked tail than a Barn Swallow. Builds mud nests on cliffs and bridges. (photo © cgates326 )
Tree Swallow – Blueish above with white throat and white belly. Requires tree cavities to nest in (preferably near open water) and suffers when old trees are cut down. (photo © jarvis_kane )
Purple Martin – Glossy bluish-purple with a dark chest (blue in males, gray in females). Our largest swallow, is a Sensitive Species due to lack of old snags to nest in. (photo © Mike )
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