Yes, tree swallows are found in Kentucky. Tree swallows are small, migratory birds that breed across much of North America and winter in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. They are found in a variety of open habitats near water, including wetlands, lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. Tree swallows nest in tree cavities and readily use nest boxes put up for them.
Quick facts about tree swallows
Here are some key facts about tree swallows:
- Scientific name: Tachycineta bicolor
- Average length: 5.1-5.9 inches
- Wingspan: 11.8-13.4 inches
- Weight: 0.7 ounces
- Lifespan: Up to 11 years in the wild
- Diet: Insects caught in flight
- Nesting: Cavities in trees near water; readily uses nest boxes
- Eggs: 4-7 white eggs per clutch
- Range: Breeds across much of North America; winters in southern U.S., Mexico, Central America, Caribbean
Identification
Tree swallows are elegant, slender birds with long, pointed wings and a short, forked tail. Adults have iridescent steel-blue upperparts and clean white underparts. The sexes are similar in appearance. Juveniles are dull brownish-gray above and pale brownish-gray below with some streaking on the breast.
In flight, tree swallows exhibit graceful, buoyant wingbeats and frequently glide. Their flight is more direct and purposeful than the fluttering flight of other swallows.
Tree swallows are very social and often gather in large flocks, especially during migration and in wintering areas. They have a soft, twittering call.
Range and Habitat
Tree swallows breed across Alaska and Canada south throughout the United States to northern California, northern Arizona, northern New Mexico, Nebraska, and Illinois. The range extends along the East Coast to northern Florida.
These birds winter from southern California, Arizona, and the Carolinas southward into Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands.
Tree swallows inhabit open areas near water, including wetlands, lakes, rivers, beaver ponds, estuaries, and seacoasts. They are frequently associated with open woodlands as long as nest cavities are available.
Migration
Tree swallows are long-distance migrants, wintering south of the U.S. and flying north to breed. They usually arrive on their breeding grounds between mid-March and mid-May. Fall migration occurs from mid-August through October as birds travel back to their wintering sites.
These swallows are daytime migrants that travel in flocks. Being aerial insectivores, they follow favorable winds and weather during migration to provide access to food resources.
Diet
Tree swallows primarily eat insects, which they catch while in flight over open areas, fields, or waterways. Their diet includes flies, beetles, moths, dragonflies, damselflies, caddisflies, butterflies, and other flying insects. They occasionally eat spiders.
These aerial acrobats snap up prey midair or swoop down to capture insects off the water’s surface. They may also occasionally pick insects off foliage.
Nesting
Tree swallows nest in cavities, using either natural tree cavities or nest boxes. Nest height ranges from 3 to 50 feet high. Nest sites are usually located within one mile of a suitable foraging site.
Females build the nest out of dried grasses and line the interior with more soft grass and feathers. Nest building takes around 10 days. Tree swallows will aggressively defend their nest sites.
The female lays between 4-7 white eggs that are incubated for 13-16 days. She alone incubates the eggs and broods the young while the male provides food. The chicks fledge about 18-24 days after hatching.
Tree swallows typically raise one brood per year. They may attempt a second brood farther north in their range. Pairs often reuse nesting sites in subsequent years.
Population Status
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, tree swallows are doing well across their range. Populations increased by an average of 2.1% per year between 1966 and 2015. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 28 million birds.
Providing nest boxes has expanded the breeding range of tree swallows by providing additional nesting sites. Their ability to adapt readily to nest boxes has increased populations in many areas.
Threats
While tree swallow populations are thriving overall, they face some threats particularly on their wintering grounds where habitat loss continues. Threats include:
- Loss of breeding and wintering habitat
- Reduced food supply from insecticides and loss of foraging habitat
- Competition for nest sites with invasive house sparrows and European starlings
- Severe storms that destroy nests during the breeding season
Fun facts about tree swallows
- Tree swallows get their name from nesting in tree cavities, but they will readily nest in nest boxes put out for them.
- They are highly aerial and catch all their prey on the wing. A tree swallow may consume up to 3,000 insects per day while feeding nestlings.
- Mated pairs often return to the same nesting site year after year. One female tree swallow nested in the same box for 11 consecutive years.
- Tree swallows are speedy fliers with typical flight speeds of 18-25 mph when migrating.
- These birds sunbathe by perching on a branch or pole and orienting their wings toward the sun.
- Tree swallows help control insect pest populations. A colony of swallows can eat millions of flying insects per year.
Tree swallows in Kentucky
Tree swallows are found across the state of Kentucky during the spring and summer breeding season before migrating south for the winter. They are one of the earlier swallow species to arrive in the state.
According to the Kentucky Breeding Bird Atlas project, tree swallows were confirmed nesting in 89% of survey blocks across Kentucky between 2006 and 2011. They were observed in all regions of the state.
Tree swallows in Kentucky inhabit open habitats near water sources where suitable nesting cavities are available. Typical habitat includes wetlands, ponds, lakes, rivers, wooded swamps, beaver ponds, and open woodlands. They also use nest boxes in these areas.
Some key locations to observe tree swallows in Kentucky include:
- Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge
- Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
- Lake Cumberland
- Cave Run Lake
- Lake Barkley
- Green River Lake
- Dale Hollow Lake
- Minor Clark Fish Hatchery
- Many state parks, nature preserves, and wildlife management areas
Tree swallows usually arrive in Kentucky in early to mid-April and remain through the summer nesting season. Most leave the state by mid-October to continue their migration south.
Providing nest boxes can help support Kentucky’s tree swallow population by giving them more nesting sites. Landowners can put up nest boxes near ponds, lakes, and wetlands before the swallows arrive in spring.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tree swallows are widespread breeding birds across Kentucky during the spring and summer. These aerial insectivores inhabit open, near-water habitats where nest cavities are available. Tree swallow populations are doing well thanks to providing nest boxes which has allowed them to expand their nesting sites. Protecting wetlands and reducing insecticide use can help maintain healthy populations of these beneficial insect-eating birds.
