The shimmering blue-green Tree Swallow is a conspicuous resident of open habitats across Canada, where it chatters noisily while zooming across the landscape and snapping up flying insects. It naturally nests in tree cavities but also uses nest-boxes, often perching atop its chosen house to proclaim ownership.
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Tree Swallow
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Moderate Decrease
Confidence: High
Goal
Below Goal Range
Found across most of Canada except the far north, the Tree Swallow is a familiar species of open fields, meadows, marshes, and other wetlands. It winters in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and some Caribbean islands. There are approximately 9.9 million individuals in Canada, which represents 52% of the global population and a high degree of responsibility for Canada. Roughly another 900,000 individuals breed in Alaska and migrate through Canada, boosting the total proportion to 57%. The Canadian population of Tree Swallow has shown a moderate decline relative to 1970, based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Confidence in this assessment is high because survey coverage and precision in the trend are both high. The national population of Tree Swallow is below its goal range.
Migration Strategy
Short-distance
Long-distance
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
9,900,000
Annual
11,000,000
Global
19,000,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Aerial Insectivores
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Tree Swallow. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/3zca-x361
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
The shimmering blue-green Tree Swallow is a conspicuous resident of open habitats across Canada, where it chatters noisily while zooming across the landscape and snapping up flying insects. It naturally nests in tree cavities but also uses nest-boxes, often perching atop its chosen house to proclaim ownership.
Distribution and Occurrence
14120
Loading...
Get Involved
Citizen Science is vital to monitoring birds in Canada. Participating in programs like the ones below helps monitor this species.
Become a Citizen Scientist today!
Follow the link below to learn about more programs that you can participate in to help monitor birds in Canada.
Learn more
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Aerial Insectivores
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Tree Swallow. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/3zca-x361