Violet-green swallow
Tachycineta thalassina
Identification Tips:
- Length: 4.75 inches
- Tiny bill
- Green upperparts
- White underparts
- White patches on side of rump
- White area extends behind and over eye (male)
- Forked tail
- Female duller than male
- Juvenile dull brown above and may have hint of a gray breast band
- Most often seen flying
- Nests in cavities near water
Similar species:
The Tree Swallow is most similar to the Violet-green Swallow. The
Violet-green Swallow has white patches that extend further onto the sides of
the rump, a white area that extends behind and over the eye and greener
upperparts.
Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.