Bird watching: violet-green swallow

Self-tutoring about birds: the tutor recognizes, in retrospect, the violet-green swallow.

Back in my post from May 29, 2023 I mention watching barn swallows – maybe a flock of one or two dozen – at a farm.

What I don’t mention, but recall, is that there were other swallows among them that were different. In particular, they were noticeably green on the back, which surprised me. Being unaware of what they were, I filed that observation away to discuss at some future time – now, as it turns out.

The green swallows, it seems, were violet-green swallows, which breed here. They are known to congregate with other swallows, and feed in a wide variety of habitats. Like other swallows, they dart around in flight, catching flying insects.

That day, it seems there were at least as many violet-green swallows in the flock as barn swallows. It was over two years ago now, but I still recall sitting at the picnic table in full, warm sun, watching the swallows take turns between perching on a wire and hunting insects in flight.

Source:

audubon.org

Hoar, T.L., De Smet, K., Campbell, R.W., Kennedy, G. (2010). Birds of Canada., Lone Pine Publishing.