General

Bahama Swallow: Medium-sized swallow with dark blue-green upperparts and cap extending below eye, steel-blue wings, white underparts, and deeply forked tail. Female is duller and smaller. Juvenile has brown upperparts.

Range and Habitat

Bahama Swallow: Casual to Florida Keys and south Florida mainland; occurs in the northern Bahamas during the summer, but ranges throughout the Bahamas and eastern Cuba at other times. Preferred habitats include islands with pine trees for breeding.

Breeding and Nesting

Bahama Swallow: Three white eggs are laid in a nest made of grass and leaves, lined with finer materials, and built in a tree, stump, or under a building eave. Incubation ranges from 13 to 16 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Bahama Swallow: Feeds on flying insects caught on the wing, primarily in or around piney woods.

Vocalization

Bahama Swallow: Song is a quiet, metallic, and twittering "chep" or "chi-chep."

Similar Species

Bahama Swallow: Tree Swallow lacks white underwing linings and deeply forked tail.