General

Violet-green Swallow: Small swallow with dark, metallic green upperparts and iridescent purple rump. Face, sides of rump, and underparts are white. Tail is slightly forked. Female is duller.

Range and Habitat

Violet-green Swallow: Breeds from Alaska east to South Dakota, south to southern California and Texas. Spends winters mainly south of the U.S.-Mexico border, but a few winter in southern California. Preferred habitats include forests, wooded foothills, mountains, and suburban areas.

Breeding and Nesting

Violet-green Swallow: Four to six white eggs are laid in a grass-and-feather nest built in a woodpecker or natural cavity, under an eave of a building, or in a nest box. Incubation ranges from 13 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Violet-green Swallow: Diet mainly consists of leafhoppers, beetles, wasps, ants, flies, and bees. Forages in flight, often above the tree canopy; occasionally feeds on the ground.

Vocalization

Violet-green Swallow: Call is a high "dee-chip" given in flight. Also emits a series of varying "tweet" notes.

Similar Species

Violet-green Swallow: Tree Swallow lacks white cheeks and rump.