Michigan is home to a wide variety of bird species, including several types of swallows. Swallows are small, agile songbirds known for their aerial acrobatics and their habit of nesting in barns and other structures. Some of the most common swallow species found in Michigan include the barn swallow, tree swallow, cliff swallow, bank swallow, and northern rough-winged swallow.
Barn Swallow
The barn swallow is one of the most widespread and recognizable swallow species in North America. These birds have steely blue upperparts, a cinnamon-colored forehead and throat, and a deeply forked tail. Barn swallows nest inside barns, bridges, and other manmade structures by building mud nests fixed to vertical surfaces. They lay clutches of 3-7 eggs that hatch after 14-15 days. Barn swallows primarily eat insects caught during continuous flight.
Barn swallows summer throughout Michigan and can be found near open fields, farms, marshes, lakes, and rivers where flying insects are abundant. They migrate south to Central and South America for the winter. Barn swallows form large communal roosts in the fall prior to migration. Major flyways for migrating barn swallows pass through the western side of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Estimated Population in Michigan
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, barn swallow populations in Michigan saw an average annual increase of 0.49% per year from 1966 to 2015. The estimated breeding population in Michigan is around 610,000 pairs.
Tree Swallow
The tree swallow is another common swallow species widely distributed across North America. As their name suggests, these swallows nest in tree cavities in wooded areas near water. Tree swallows are iridescent blue-green on the back and white underneath. They have a forked tail and relatively long, pointed wings.
Tree swallows feed primarily on flying insects, which they catch in flight over fields, marshes, lakes, and rivers. They often nest in clusters of tree cavities near water sources where insects are abundant. Tree swallows can adapt readily to nest boxes, making them easy species to attract.
In Michigan, tree swallows can be found statewide during the summer breeding season. They migrate to the southeastern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean in winter. Peak fall migration occurs in September and October in Michigan.
Estimated Population in Michigan
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, tree swallow populations in Michigan increased by an average of 2.58% per year from 1966 to 2015. The estimated breeding population is around 530,000 pairs.
Cliff Swallow
Cliff swallows build gourd-shaped mud nests attached to vertical surfaces on cliffs, under bridges, on buildings, and in other sheltered sites. They have a square tail and a pale orange rump patch. Cliff swallows are highly aerial and social, often gathering in large colonies at nesting sites and migratory stopover points.
These swallows frequent open areas near water and cliffs or human-made structures where they can attach their nests. They mainly eat flying insects like flies and bees caught on the wing. Cliff swallow nesting colonies require a source of mud for nest construction and vertical surfaces for nest attachment.
In Michigan, cliff swallows nest throughout the Lower Peninsula and eastern Upper Peninsula. They can be found near lakes, rivers, and wetlands where insect prey is abundant. These swallows winter in South America and migrate through Michigan in April and October.
Estimated Population in Michigan
Cliff swallow population trends have been relatively stable in Michigan, with a 0.18% annual increase from 1966 to 2015 based on Breeding Bird Survey data. There are likely several hundred thousand nesting pairs statewide.
Bank Swallow
Bank swallows are brown above and white below with a distinct breast band. As their name indicates, they nest in burrows dug into earthen banks, generally near water where insect prey is plentiful. Colonies frequently contain dozens or even hundreds of nest burrows.
These aerial insectivores breed in suitable habitat throughout Michigan. Bank swallows forage widely over fields, marshes, rivers, and lakes. They migrate through Central America to spend the winter in South America. Migration peaks in May and August in Michigan.
Bank swallow populations have declined significantly in recent decades, primarily due to loss of suitable nesting sites. Artificial nest banks have been constructed in some areas to provide more nesting habitat.
Estimated Population in Michigan
Bank swallow numbers in Michigan have dropped at an average annual rate of 3.7% from 1966 to 2015 per Breeding Bird Survey data. The current breeding population is estimated to be around 90,000 pairs.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
The northern rough-winged swallow breeds across North America and winters from Mexico to South America. In Michigan, these swallows nest in burrows in earthen banks or crevices in rock faces or structures near water. They have dull brown upperparts and lighter underparts with a brownish-gray breast band.
Northern rough-winged swallows feed primarily on insects caught in flight over marshes, lakes, rivers, and fields. They tend to forage closer to the ground than other swallow species. These swallows migrate through Central America and can be seen in Michigan from April to October.
Estimated Population in Michigan
According to Breeding Bird Survey data, northern rough-winged swallow populations in Michigan increased by 2.58% annually from 1966 to 2015. The total breeding population likely numbers in the tens of thousands of pairs.
Habitat and Behavior
Swallows thrive in open areas near water sources where flying insects used for food are abundant. Different species select specialized nesting sites on vertical surfaces such as cliffs, banks, buildings, bridges, or trees. Some species form large colonies while others nest solitarily. Food consists primarily of insects caught on the wing.
Swallows are agile flyers with long, pointed wings and deeply forked or square tails adapted for aerial maneuvering. Most species are iridescent blue, green, or brown above and pale below. Swallows migrate long distances between North American breeding grounds and Central or South American wintering areas.
In Michigan, swallows nest during the summer months between May and August. Migration peaks occur in April/May and August/September. Swallow populations are vulnerable to declines when suitable nesting or foraging habitat is altered or destroyed. Ongoing threats include urban development, bank stabilization, pesticides, climate change, and invasive species.
Swallow Species in Michigan
Here is a summary table of the common swallow species known to breed in Michigan:
Species | Breeding Habitat | Nest Placement | Migration Period |
---|---|---|---|
Barn Swallow | Open areas near structures | Mud nests on vertical surfaces | April – October |
Tree Swallow | Open wooded areas near water | Tree cavities | April – October |
Cliff Swallow | Open areas near cliffs or structures | Mud nests on vertical surfaces | April – October |
Bank Swallow | Near rivers, lakes, wetlands | Burrows in earthen banks | April – October |
N. Rough-winged Swallow | Near lakes, rivers, wetlands | Burrows in banks or crevices | April – October |
Conclusion
In summary, Michigan provides suitable breeding habitat for several species of swallows during the summer months. The most widespread include the barn swallow, tree swallow, cliff swallow, bank swallow, and northern rough-winged swallow. Swallows migrate through the state in spring and fall on their way to and from Central and South American wintering areas.
Overall swallow populations numbers remain relatively stable, although some species like bank swallows have seen declines primarily due to habitat loss. Protection of suitable nesting and foraging areas will be important for the continued success of swallow populations in Michigan.