# Violet-green Swallow (*Tachycineta thalassina*) The Violet-green Swallow is a small, colorful bird with shiny green wings and a lovely violet throat. They are quick flyers and love to catch insects in the air, making them fun to watch! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 35 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Violet-green Swallow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tachycineta_thalassina_-San_Luis_Obispo%252C_California%252C_USA_-female-8_%282%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alan Vernon, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tachycineta_thalassina_-San_Luis_Obispo%252C_California%252C_USA_-female-8_%282%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Violet-green Swallow is a small bird with a glossy iridescent green back and purple rump, contrasting sharply with its pure white belly. It has distinctive white patches that extend above and slightly behind its eyes, making it visually different from other swallows. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Hirundinidae - **Genus:** Tachycineta ## Interesting facts - Their shimmering colors appear to change from green to violet depending on how light hits their feathers! - These birds often nest in small groups, sometimes sharing apartment-like homes in cliffs! - They use soft feathers and plant materials to line their cozy nests, making them extra comfy! - Violet-green Swallows gather thousands of insects every day to feed themselves and their growing babies! ## Special abilities - **Aerial Acrobat:** Violet-green Swallows can perform incredible aerial maneuvers because of their sleek bodies and pointed wings that help them catch insects mid-flight. - **Cavity Dweller:** Violet-green Swallows have the ability to nest in natural tree hollows or old woodpecker holes that help them shelter their young safely. - **Water Skimmer:** Violet-green Swallows can drink water while flying because of their agile flight that helps them scoop sips from ponds. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12.5-13.5 cm - **Wingspan:** 28-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.012-0.016 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-7 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-6 - **Incubation:** 13-16 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding These agile fliers are expert bug catchers, eating almost every insect they find in the air. - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Beetles, Ants, Wasps, Mosquitoes - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Sharp-shinned Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sharp-shinned-hawk) (*Accipiter striatus*) — Small raptors like this hunt adult swallows. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Nocturnal owls may prey on swallows at roosts. - **Depends on:** [Northern Flicker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-flicker) (*Colaptes auratus*) — Swallows use abandoned nesting cavities excavated by woodpeckers. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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 Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Violet-green 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 Violet-green Swallow? 12.5-13.5 cm ### What is Violet-green Swallow's wingspan? 28-30 cm ### How much does Violet-green Swallow weigh? 0.012-0.016 kg ### How long does Violet-green Swallow live? 3-7 years ### How fast can Violet-green Swallow move? 60 km/h ### What does Violet-green Swallow eat? These agile fliers are expert bug catchers, eating almost every insect they find in the air. ### Where is Violet-green Swallow usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Arastradero Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arastradero-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Atchison Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atchison-village) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Benbow Lake State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/benbow-lake-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Bryce Canyon Lodge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bryce-canyon-lodge-historic-district) — Utah, US · Historic District - [Bryce Canyon National Park Scenic Trails Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bryce-canyon-national-park-scenic-trails-historic-district) — Utah, US · Trail - [Chicken Ridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chicken-ridge-historic-district) — US · Historic District [View all places to see Violet-green Swallow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/violet-green-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: [Violet-green Swallow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/violet-green-swallow)