Tachycineta Bicolor

Identification Tips:

• Length: 5 inches
• Tiny bill
• Iridescent blue-green upperparts
• White under parts
• Forked tail
• Female duller than male
• Juvenile dull brown above and may have hint of a gray breast band
• Most often seen flying
• Nests in cavities near water
• Often found in large flocks

Similar species:

• The Tree Swallow is most similar to the Violet-green Swallow.
• The Violet-green Swallow has white patches that extend further onto the sides of the rump, a white area that extends behind and over the eye and greener upperparts.
•  Bank Swallow is smaller, this feature is especially noticeable as mixed flocks of swallows often sit on telephone wires.
• Bank has a dark breast band that is lacking or indistinct in the Tree.
• From above, Bank Swallow has a paler rump that contrasts with the darker back and tail where the Tree Swallow is uniformly-colored.
• Northern Rough-winged Swallow has a dusky throat and warmer brown upperparts than the Tree Swallow.
• Swallows often call in flight and these calls are excellent clues to identification.