Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta
thalassina
The
violet green swallow is one of the most beautiful swallows in
California. It is a nearly iridescent green and violet in color
with bright white under parts.
 Migration of the Violet-green swallow
The Violet-green swallow overwinters along the
central coast of California especially around the San Francisco
bay area and in the central valley. A large portion of the birds
in California spend the winter in Mexico as there are far greater
quantities of insects down there in the winter that in
California.
Range of the Violet-green Swallow
The range of the Violet-green swallow in
California is very complex. For the most part they are absent
from the central valley and the southern deserts in summer but
are found in the rest of the state. In winter their population
shifts moving south or along the coast and into the San Joaquin
valley.
Diet of the Violet-green swallow
The Violet-green swallow eats insects usually
by hawking. They prefer to hunt over water as there is usually an
abundance of insects. They have been seen hunting over coastal
salt marshes as well as over dry hot chaparral.
Nesting habitat used by the Violet-green Swallow
The Violet-green swallow is a secondary cavity
nester using old woodpecker holes in trees or holes in cliffs.
They have to compete with European starlings and house sparrows
for nests. They nest in single pairs rather than large colonies
like the Cliff swallow. Both pictures we have of them, they are
collecting sticks. We assumed these were for their nests. This
bird seamed really choosy about which stick was worthy of going
in its nest. They will use nest
boxes.
 Habitat/
Plant community used by the Violet-green Swallow
Coastal
salt marsh
Northern
oak woodland
Southern
oak woodland
Central
Oak woodland
Mountain
meadows
How to attract the Violet-green Swallow to
your garden
The Violet green swallow can be attracted to your garden by a
nest box.
They may also want a good place to hunt for insects. Usually a
nearby athletic field will suffice.
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