# Tree Swallow (*Tachycineta bicolor*) The Tree Swallow is a small, colorful bird with shiny greenish-blue feathers. They love to fly high and catch insects in the air! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 137 - **Habitat:** Open fields near water, like lakes and rivers. - **Also known as:** Blue Swallow, White-bellied Swallow ![Tree Swallow](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426932/objects/4543.jpg) ## Appearance The Tree Swallow has an iridescent, metallic blue-green back and a pure white belly, giving it a striking contrast. Its sleek body and pointed wings make it distinct from other swallow species, which may have darker undersides or different tail shapes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Hirundinidae - **Genus:** Tachycineta ## Interesting facts - A single Tree Swallow can catch over 2,000 flying insects in one day! - These birds use their sticky saliva to help build their cozy nests! - They often use old woodpecker holes or human-made nest boxes. - Tree Swallows sometimes sunbathe to help get rid of tiny parasites! ## Special abilities - **Aerial Acrobatics:** Tree Swallows can dart and weave through the air because of their sleek body and pointed wings that help them catch flying insects. - **Berry Digestion:** Tree Swallows can eat waxy berries in winter because their unique digestive system allows them to process plant matter when insects are scarce. - **Cozy Nester:** Tree Swallows have soft, white breast feathers that help them insulate their nests, keeping their eggs and chicks warm and cozy. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-15 cm - **Wingspan:** 30-34 cm - **Weight:** 0.017-0.021 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-8 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 13-16 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding Acrobatic birds primarily feast on flying insects, but can also eat berries when bugs are scarce. - **Primary Foods:** flies, mosquitoes, beetles, dragonflies, bayberries, sumac berries - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — A quick raptor that may prey on adult swallows. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Climbs trees to raid nests for eggs and chicks. - **Eats:** [Northern Bayberry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-bayberry) (*Myrica pensylvanica*) — Eats waxy berries for energy during cold months. - **Depends on:** [Eastern Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-bluebird) (*Sialia sialis*) — Competes with swallows for coveted nesting cavities. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Tree Swallows are friendly and not dangerous. Just enjoy watching them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Tree Swallow? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Tree Swallow? 12-15 cm ### What is Tree Swallow's wingspan? 30-34 cm ### How much does Tree Swallow weigh? 0.017-0.021 kg ### How long does Tree Swallow live? 2-8 years ### How fast can Tree Swallow move? 60 km/h ### What does Tree Swallow eat? Acrobatic birds primarily feast on flying insects, but can also eat berries when bugs are scarce. ### Where is Tree Swallow usually found? Open fields near water, like lakes and rivers. ## Where to spot - [Arastradero Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arastradero-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Barrington Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrington-civic-center-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Benbow Lake State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/benbow-lake-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Burke Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burke-lake-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Canal Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canal-park) — District of Columbia, US · Park - [Chadwick Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chadwick-arboretum) — Ohio, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Tree Swallow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/tree-swallow) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Tree Swallow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-swallow)