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Are violet-green swallows rare?
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) The Violet-green Swallow is a rare migrant on campus and has been recorded from late February to early May and from July to September. It is a common breeding bird in the mountains, and a common migrant and rare wintering bird throughout southern California.
Where can I see Violet-green Swallow?
Two subspecies of Violet-green Swallow are recognized, one migratory and one resident in northwestern Mexico. The migratory subspecies breeds west of the Rockies, from central Alaska and western Canada south to Mexican highlands. It migrates in large flocks to winter in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
How big are violet-green swallows?
5¼ in.
The body of the violet-green swallow is no exception. With an average body length of 5¼ in. (13 cm), the violet-green swallow is slightly shorter and appears more compact in flight compared to other members of the family Hirundinidae.
Where do violet-green swallows winter?
Most individuals migrate to Mexico and Central America during the nonbreeding season, heading as far south as Costa Rica. Some individuals spend winters in California’s Imperial Valley, the lower Colorado River Valley, and coastal California.
What is the difference between a barn swallow and a purple martin?
Adult Barn Swallows have longer and more deeply forked tails than Purple Martins. They also have peachy or creamy underparts, whereas female Purple Martins have dingy underparts.
What do violet green swallows eat?
Insects
Diet. Insects. Feeds on a wide variety of flying insects, such as flies, true bugs, wasps, winged ants, wild bees, beetles, moths, and many others.
How long do violet-green swallows live?
The oldest recorded Violet-green Swallow was a male, and at least 9 years, 1 month old, when he was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California in 1993.
How long do violet-green swallows stay in the nest?
Incubation is evidently mostly or entirely by the female, about 13-18 days. Young: Both parents feed nestlings, but female often does more. Young leave the nest about 23-24 days after hatching. Parents continue to feed the young for some time after they leave the nest.
How can you tell a swallow from a house Martin?
House martins are smaller than swallows. They have only a shallow forked tail and lack tail streamers. Their body is all white beneath with bright white chin and throat. The white patch on their rump on their otherwise blue-black back and head is a great way to single them out in a mixed flock with swallows.
What does Purple Martin look like?
Adult males are iridescent, dark blue-purple overall with brown-black wings and tail. Females and immatures are duller, with variable amounts of gray on the head and chest and a whitish lower belly. Purple Martins fly rapidly with a mix of flapping and gliding.
Do Tree swallows eat mosquitoes?
Tree Swallows According to the Rural Survival website, swallows can eat their body weight in mosquitoes and other insects each day. Tree swallows are slightly smaller than barn swallows, with metallic greenish-blue heads, white bellies and black bills.
Does violet-green swallow migrate?
Range/Migration Violet-green Swallows are relatively early spring migrants that tend to follow the coastline or low-elevation features as they travel.
How do you tell the difference between a swift and a swallow?
First, check the color. Flashes of blue, green, orange, or iridescence are characteristic of swallows. Swifts are mostly soft gray. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however: The White-throated Swift has a chalky belly, while Northern Rough-winged and Bank Swallows are brown overall.
What’s the difference between a swallow and a sparrow?
The main difference between sparrows and swallows is that swallows are thin and streamlined, build nests of mud, and hunt insects in the air, while sparrows are shorter and stockier, build nests of vegetation, and eat mostly seeds.
Where do you put a violet-green swallow nest box?
Nest boxes can be placed on buildings, live trees, dead trees, or a pole 9-15 feet above the ground. Because Violet-green Swallows often like to nest in small groups, consider putting up more than one nest box at least 30 feet apart.
How many babies do violet-green swallows have?
4-6, rarely 7. White. Incubation is evidently mostly or entirely by the female, about 13-18 days. Young: Both parents feed nestlings, but female often does more.
Where do you put a violet green swallow nest box?
How many babies do violet green swallows have?