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Who's That Singing? Tree Swallow

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Tree Swallow calling (photo by Arlene Koziol)

Tree Swallows are a fun, dynamic, and noisy species. As a frequent user of man-made nest boxes, this is a species one is likely to encounter in many types of natural areas, particularly if there is water nearby. Tree Swallows are primarily insectivores, so those watery areas that support lots of flying insects like dragonflies, damselflies, moths, butterflies, etc. are excellent habitat for this bird. This is less likely to be a backyard bird, but one you are likely to encounter on a hike.

Tree Swallows are beautiful small birds, with a white belly and a greenish-blueish-even purplish iridescent back that can look black in some lights. Their wings and tailfeathers in flight are a dark dull brown/gray. Their beaks are short and pointy, and their wings are long and slender — both speaking to their preference to hunt insects while in flight. They’re acrobatic and fast little birds, darting here and there to catch their prey.

They often will sit tight in the nest box, poking their cute little heads out of the hole to keep watch, flushing out of the box only when necessary. They’re determined protectors of their nest boxes, swooping and darting close to intruders (including people) who get close to their nest boxes.

Tree Swallow in flight (photo by Arlene Koziol)

Tree Swallow poking out of a nest box (photo by Arlene Koziol)

Song

The Tree Swallow song is delightful: a high-pitched, bubbly, watery, chirpy sound that isn’t particularly melodic but is pleasant to listen to. Males and females both sing.

Call

Tree Swallows’ calls are short, high-pitched, and chattery, usually made when signaling distress, irritation, or warning. You might hear this if you’re walking near their nest box!

I hope you enjoy seeing and/or hearing this wonderful bird species on your next adventure outdoors, particularly if you’re heading toward water (and in the middle of July, heading toward water seems like the right thing to do!).

Who’s That Singing? is a series designed for Birding by Ear class participants but available to anyone interested in learning more!

Written by Brenna Marsicek, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance director of outreach

other articles in the Who’s That Singing series:

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