Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassAves (Aus)
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyHirundinidae (Swallows and Martins)
- GenusTachycineta (Tachycineta Swallows)
- SpeciesTachycineta bicolor (Tree Swallow)
The tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) is a migratory bird of the family Hirundinidae. Found in the Americas, the tree swallow was first described in 1807 by French ornithologist Louis Vieillot as Hirundo bicolor. It has since been moved to its current genus, Tachycineta, within which its phylogenetic placement is debated. The tree swallow has glossy blue-green upperparts, with the exception of the blackish wings and tail, and white underparts. The bill is black, the eyes dark brown, and the legs and feet pale brown. The female is generally duller than the male, and the first-year female has mostly brown upperparts, with some blue feathers. Wikipedia →
30–40% of wildlife watchers report a Tree Swallow sighting in Elk Island National Park, based on 171 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Elk Island National Park
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Purple Martin
Progne subis
Bank Swallow
Riparia riparia
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx serripennis
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Tree Swallow in Elk Island National Park?
About 31% of wildlife watchers report a Tree Swallow sighting in Elk Island National Park, based on 171 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Tree Swallow in Elk Island National Park?
May has the highest sighting rate for Tree Swallow in Elk Island National Park in our monthly data.