from Birds-of-North_America.net

There are seven native types of swallows found in North America. Swallows are common throughout the continent. The Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow and Tree Swallow can be seen from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast and into northern Canada and Alaska. The Northern Rough-winged Swallow is seen throughout the USA and all of the southern provinces of Canada. The Violet-green Swallow has a range on the western coast, from Alaska to Mexico and along the Rocky Mountains. The Cave Swallow has the smallest range and can be found along the southern perimeters of New Mexico and Texas with a small colony in southern Florida. The Bahama Swallow is a vagrant swallow and is sometimes seen in the southern regions of Florida.

The swallows feed on insects and these acrobatic birds catch their prey as they maneuver through the air. They are mostly found near water and most swallow species build their nests from mud. The exception to this is the Bank Swallow, who prefers to burrow into the sides of sandbanks. The Tree Swallow and Violet-green Swallow, prefer to nest in the cavities of trees and posts and they use man-made birdhouses, when given the opportunity.

BARN SWALLOW

The Barn Swallow was once far for common than it is today. In the days of the large barns, they were seen in the hundreds, forming large colonies around the structures. Today, different methods are used to store hay and animals, therefore reducing the need for farmyard barns. The swallows are seen from Newfoundland and Labrador, across southern Quebec and westward through Ontario, and the Northwest and the Yukon Territories, including all the prairie provinces. Touching into southeastern Alaska, south through California, east to the Atlantic coast including Florida, and north into Nova Scotia. It is found throughout the country of Mexico.

TREE SWALLOW

The Tree Swallow is one of the few North American swallows that will nest in a manmade birdhouse. These beautiful metallic blue birds can be seen perched on fences or skimming over the surfaces of water, as they feed on insects. The Eastern Bluebird competes for the same available birdhouses and often times, one will be seen nesting beside the other.

Red = Summer Green = Winter

BANK SWALLOW

Distribution: The Bank Swallow makes its nest by digging horizontal holes into the soft earth in the sides of sand quarries, river banks and ridges. It is found throughout most of North America in the breeding season, from Newfoundland and Labrador, northeastern Quebec and across all of Ontario, through all the prairie provinces and into the Northwest and Yukon Territories and most of Alaska. Also, south along the Pacific coast to the central regions of Nevada, across to the Atlantic coast and north into New Brunswick. It spends its winter months in the tropics.

CLIFF SWALLOW

The Cliff Swallow closely resembles the southern Cave Swallow. It is usually seen in colonies. These birds build their enclosed mud nests under ledges, such as overpasses, bridges and eaves. Most often, they make use of existing man-made structures. These swallows have the most northerly range in North America.

CAVE SWALLOW

The Cave Swallow prefers the warmest climate of all the swallows living in North America. There are two sub-species of these swallows, one group is seen in Florida and these represent the Caribbean race. Another race seen in Texas represent the Mexican and Central American sub-species. This swallow has a square-shaped tail.

NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW

The Northern Rough-winged Swallow has a range across the southern regions of Canada down through the US and into Mexico. This swallow can be confused with the Bank Swallow as both have drab brownish-grey plumage. The Bank Swallow has a breast band with the dark center leading onto its belly, whilst the Northern Rough-winged Swallow has only the breast band.

VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW

In some ways, the Violet-green Swallow resembles the Tree Swallow. This green-coloured bird will nest in man-made birdhouses and around older structures. These swallows are seen in the western regions of North America, from Alaska in the summer months, and right into southern Mexico.

BAHAMA SWALLOW

The Bahama Swallow is found mostly on the island of Andros in the Bahamas. This dark-blue swallow can be seen in the open fields and in the forest. It is similar in appearance to the Tree Swallow that is seen in North America, except that the Bahama Swallow has a forked-tail. It has been a vagrant to Florida.