Mind the Migration! Alert for the Month of March

This month, we’re checking out some of the incoming swallow species settling into their breeding grounds in Colorado. These fast-flying insectivores are sure to catch your eye as they whiz and glide above a glimmering pool of water.

Let’s start with the basics: what is a swallow? In general, the perching birds in the family Hirundinidae are known for their insect-catching prowess. Their bodies are adapted to snap insects right out of the air, still in flight. They carry their aerodynamic, slender bodies on long, pointed wings with incredible maneuverability and stamina. They also make good use of their specialized, raptor-like eyes. While most birds with eyes on the sides of their heads have the most visual accuracy in their left and right fields of vision, or birds like owls have the most accuracy directly in front of them, swallows can focus very clearly both directly in front of them and to the sides of their head. This allows them to lock onto their insect prey, flitting through the air, as they glide after them, twisting and turning until they catch their meal in their short, but wide bills. Here are three swallow species to look out for this March.

Perhaps the most plain-looking of the swallows is the Northern Rough-winged Swallow. These birds are completely brown above and sport a modest gradient from buff at the throat and chest to white towards the belly underneath. They can be tricky to spot, particularly while migrating, as they often mix with other species of swallows. But while some of these birds are merely migrating through Colorado to reach further north (as far as the Southern edge of Canada), others may be settling in to breed. They nest near water, often in abandoned burrows made by other animals. These may be made of clay, sand, or gravel, or they may find small crevices to nest in like gutters, drains, or bridges.

One with a bit more pizazz in their plumage is the Cliff Swallow. Their tails are square, and they are deep, metallic blue on the crown and back. They are white underneath and sport white foreheads with black masks but have rust on the sides of their faces and at the rump. These swallows build their own nests out of mud and are almost always found in a large group near a lake, river, or wetland.

Of the swallows we’re featuring this month, the most visually striking in the Violet-green Swallow. They have solid white on the cheeks, throat, and underparts that contrast against the metallic green on the back and iridescent purple on the rump. In males, the metallic green extends to the head while in females, the head is brown.

Which of these feathered features is your favorite? Have you spotted any of them before? Let us know through our contact page and send us snaps you’ve taken of any swallows! Check back here soon for more tips and updates!