Welcome to our web page about swallows. These aerial acrobats are present in rural communities across the world, where they play an essential role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Swallows are known for their incredible agility and speed, which makes them expert hunters of flying insects.
For many people, swallows are a harbinger of spring and remind them of summer camps, vacations at a cottage or by a lake, or beautiful days by the beach. Other people encountered them at farms, or during fishing trips, when swallows provided them with company during the long wait for a bite at the hook.
Images may spring to mind, like that of power lines filled with a long line of swallows, suddenly rising into the sky, surfing the autumn wind. And what to say of the experience of having a pair of swallows nest in the box you provided! One thing is certain: swallows have fascinated humans since time immemorial.
Bank Swallow Habitat Illustration: Charles LeGresley
Swallows are part of our natural and cultural heritage. Not only do they occupy an important ecological niche, but humans also imbue them with rich poetic symbolism. They are part of our legends, often making an appearance in children's stories, they are present in music, poetry and literature, and occupy an important place in our history.
This web page's goal is to raise public awareness about the threats facing swallows and the actions we can all take to protect these species. Another goal of this campaign is to learn how to identify swallows and become familiar with their habitats. It is important to know that the presence of swallows in our region is a good indicator of suitable habitat for a whole range of other species.
4 Species of Swallows in Our Region
There are many different species of swallows in the world, and New Brunswick is home to at least four. Each one of these species has a different lifestyle! They do not migrate to the same places and do not occupy identical ecological niches. Their feathers and body shapes are different, and they each build a unique nest. Swallow nests are one way to identify and distinguish species. For instance, Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nest in tree cavities or nesting boxes, while the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) creates a half cup affixed to a surface , and the Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) builds a nest shaped like a closed bowl with an entrance. The Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia), our most endangered species of swallow, nests in very dynamic habitats, digging tunnels in erodible material recently exposed by shoreline erosion. Their nesting tunnels can give banks a look reminiscent of Swiss cheese.
photo: Vision H2O
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)
This species is easy to identify by the dark brown band on its chest (like a collar), and its slightly forked tail. This species is the smallest swallow in Canada.
When it comes time to nest, this species digs a hole with his feet into the side of a sand or silt bank on the coast, in a quarry or on a cliff near a source of water. Unlike Tree Swallows, who like to nest alone, Bank Swallows nest in colonies. They can often be seen in flight in groups of two to four birds. In late summer, all species of swallows gather together before migrating south.
Fun Facts
Their flight patterns are more erratic than those of other swallows.
Their lifespan is of approximately two years. (COSEWIC, 2013).
They overwinter in Mexico, central America, the Antilles, and South America
Their tunnels can be up to 150 cm long. (Nature Qc.)
The decline of Bank Swallows is worrisome. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (2022), the Canadian population has fallen by 98% over the last 40 years. Therefore, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada (COSEWIC) has assessed the Bank Swallow as a threatened species. This is due to a combination of the following factors:
Habitat loss (wetlands) and rock-armouring of shorelines.
Pesticide and herbicide use (pesticides kill the prey - insects, and herbicides reduce insect habitat).
Climate change impacts related to increased storms during migration.
Changes to the timing of insects' life cycles.
Dune erosion caused by more frequent storms that destroy swallow habitat (a net loss of habitat).
How to Help Bank Swallows
If you come across a nesting colony of Bank Swallows, make sure to walk near the edge of the water. Swallows may abandon their nests if they feel threatened.
Keep your dog on a leash near swallow colonies.
Avoid operating a drone near swallow colonies.
To stabilize shorelines, choose natural methods instead of rocks, and ensure that the slope is greater than 70 degrees.
Plant native vegetation and limit your use of pesticides and herbicides.
Avoid all construction work during nesting season, from mid-May to mid-August.
Tell others about swallows.
Send your swallow colony observations to eBird or contact Vision H2O.
Bank swallows (photo: Vision H2O)
Bank swallow (photo: Robert Shortall)
Bank swallow (photo: Robert Shortall)
Bank swallow (photo: Vision H2O)
Bank swallows near nest (photo: Vision H2O)
Bank swallows nesting (photo: Robert Shortall)
Bank swallows nesting (photo: Vision H2O)
Bank swallow habitat (photo: Vision H2O)
Bank swallow habitat (photo: Vision H2O)
Bank swallow habitat (photo: Vision H2O)
Cliff at Petit Cap (photo: Vision H2O)
Bank swallow colony (photo: Vision H2O)
Bank swallows (photo: Rosemonde Chiasson Duguay)
Cap Bimet Condo artificial hills (photo: Vision H2O)
photo: Robert Shortall
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
This swallow is easily identifiable by its long, forked tail and elongated body shape. Its back is metallic blue, with tawny underparts and a cinnamon forehead and throat.
The Barn Swallow nests in small colonies and is more social than the solitary-nesting Tree Swallow. Both partners build the nest together, often in barns, but also under bridges or eaves.
Since the 1970s, there has been a significant decline in Barn Swallow populations. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessed the Barn Swallow as a threatened species in 2017.
Fun Facts
Before the arrival of European settlers, these swallows nested on rocky escarpments.
The species is at risk due to the following threats:
Loss of nesting habitat and food due to the modernization of agricultural practices (less barns than in the past).
Climate change impacts related to increased storms during migration.
Pesticide and herbicide use which kills their prey (insects) and reduces insect habitat.
Changes to the timing of insects' life cycles. Cold snaps or sudden temperature changes.
How to Help Barn Swallows
Let part of your lawn grow tall to provide habitat for insects (food for swallows).
Build a wooden shelf in your barn and leave an opening to allow them to build nests inside.
Keep away from nest sites. Swallows may abandon their nests if they feel threatened.
Keep your cat away from nest sites.
Keep a muddy or humid area nearby and add feathers and animal fur (nest-building material).
Offer eggshells (source of calcium).
Avoid all construction work during nesting season, from mid-May to mid-August.
Tell others about swallows.
Send your swallow observations to eBird or contact Vision H2O.
Barn swallow (photo: Rosemonde Chiasson Duguay)
Barn swallow (photo: Vision H2O)
photo: Gary Dupuis
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
The Cliff Swallow is similar to the Barn Swallow, except that it does not have a long, forked tail, but a short one. Notice its cream-white forehead patch which gives this swallow its French name, “Hirondelle à front blanc”. Its English name, on the other hand, refers to its natural nesting sites in colonies on cliff ledges. The advent of bridges, viaducts, and buildings in the 1800s presented an opportunity for this species to expand its nesting sites in eastern North America.
Like the Bank Swallow, the Cliff Swallow nests in colonies, but these are larger. Both partners collaborate on nest building, but occasionally, the male will begin the process alone.
Fun Facts
They overwinter in South America, between southern Brazil and northern Argentina.
They are not very vocal.
Cliff Swallow colonies serve as information centres where members can get information about the location of food sources and mud to build nests.
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has not yet assessed the status of this swallow. Nevertheless, the species has been in decline since 1970. The causes of its decline are likely similar to that of other swallows.
Climate change impacts related to increased storms during migration.
Pesticide and herbicide use which kills their prey (insects) and reduces insect habitat.
Changes to the timing of insects' life cycles. Cold snaps or sudden temperature changes.
How to Help Cliff Swallows
Let part of your lawn grow tall to provide habitat for insects (food for swallows).
Install platforms under eaves to help them build their nests.
Limit the time you spend around nest sites. Swallows may abandon their nests if they feel threatened.
Keep your cat away from nest sites.
Keep a muddy or humid area nearby and add feathers and animal fur (nest-building material).
Offer eggshells (source of calcium).
Avoid all construction work during nesting season, from mid-May to mid-August.
Tell others about swallows.
Send your swallow observations to eBird or contact Vision H2O.
Cliff swallows (photo: Bonny Culley)
Cliff swallow (photo: cOkSi Photographe 2015)
Cliff swallows (photo: Mitch Doucet)
Cliff swallows (photo: Stuart Tingley)
Cliff swallows (photo: Mitch Doucet)
Cliff swallows (photo: Mitch Doucet)
Cliff swallows (photo: Vision H2O)
Cliff swallow (photo: Vision H2O)
photo: Robert Shortall
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
This is the swallow most people get to observe. Its name “Tree Swallow” comes from the fact that in nature, it nests in dead trees (snags), often in cavities dug by a woodpecker (snags are also important for other species like bluebirds, chickadees and kingbirds). Its scientific name “bicolor” (and its French name “bicolore”) refers to its stark, two-tone colouring; the Tree Swallow has a blue-violet back and white underparts. This species use human-made nest boxes (wooden boxes of the right dimensions) that are also used by other bird species like the chickadee and the Eastern Bluebird.
Fun Facts
They spend their winter in southern North America, in Florida, along the Caribbean coast and in Central America.
In fall and winter, they sometimes consume plant seeds and bayberries.
The Tree Swallow and the Yellow-rumped Warbler are amongst the few birds who can digest the exterior wax layer around bayberries.
Like other species of swallows, Tree Swallows eat an enormous quantity of insects.
Let part of your lawn grow tall to provide habitat for insects (food for swallows).
Keep your distance and limit the time you spend around nest sites. Swallows may abandon their nests if they feel threatened.
Keep your cat away from nest sites.
Offer feathers and animal fur (nest-building material) as well as eggshells (source of calcium).
Avoid all construction work during nesting season, from mid-May to mid-August.
Conserve old trees and snags as possible nest sites.
Tell others about swallows.
Send your swallow observations to eBird or contact Vision H2O.
Tree swallow (photo: Vision H2O)
Tree swallows (photo: Rosemonde Chiasson Duguay)
Tree swallows (photo: Robert Shortall)
Tree swallow (photo: Rosemonde Chiasson Duguay)
Tree swallow (photo: Raymonde Chartier)
Tree swallow (photo: Charles Gaudet)
Swallow Identification Cheat Sheet
Final words
Despite their importance, swallow populations have declined in many areas due to habitat loss and other threats, which makes their conservation even more critical.
According to The State of Canada's Birds (2019), populations of insectivorous birds like swallows, Purple Martins and Common Nighthawks have declined sharply in Canada.
It is difficult to imagine a world without birds. Their presence is a good indicator of ecosystem health. Therefore, we as a society must do more to protect their habitat by adopting behaviours that are respectful of the environment.
Visit our YouTube page - Naturalist and educator Alain Clavette explains the importance of swallows.
