Bird Gallery Index

Tree Swallows (adult and juvenile) image © Dr. David McDonald

Family: (Hirundinidae) Swallows

Preferred Habitat: Open country

Seasonal Occurrence: Common in spring and fall; occasional in winter.

Notes: Tree Swallows, unlike other swallows, may be found on the Upper Texas Coast in winter, when they forage on berries to supplement their normal insect diet. Adults are dark glossy green or blue on their upperparts, whereas juveniles are brown, sometimes with a buffy wash on their breasts. During fall migration tree swallows can be seen in huge numbers, particularly on the coast. The Houston Bird Survey has more information and a distribution map for the Tree Swallow.
- Susan Billetdeaux