Family: Hirundinidae, Swallows view all from this family

Description 5-5 1/2" (13-14 cm). Dark, metallic, bronze-green upperparts; iridescent violet rump and tail, the latter slightly forked; white underparts. White cheek extending above eye and white on sides of rump distinguish it from Tree Swallow.

Habitat Breeds in forests, wooded foothills, mountains, suburban areas.

Nesting 4 or 5 white eggs in a grass-and-feather nest in a woodpecker hole, a natural cavity, under the eaves of a building, or in a nest box.

Range Breeds from Alaska east to South Dakota, south to southern California and Texas. Winters mainly south of U.S.-Mexico border, but a few winter in southern California.

Voice   A high dee-chip given in flight. Also a series of varying tweet notes.

Discussion Like many other swallows, the Violet-green lives in colonies, basically because of its feeding needs. Where one finds food there is usually enough for all, and when feeding communally these birds can more readily detect and defend themselves from hawks.