Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Swallows
Hirondelles
Hirundinidae
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
There are seven native types of swallows found in North America. Swallows are common throughout the continent. The Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow and Tree Swallow can be seen from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast and into northern Canada and Alaska. The Northern Rough-winged Swallow is seen throughout the USA and all of the southern provinces of Canada. The Violet-green Swallow has a range on the western coast, from Alaska to Mexico and along the Rocky Mountains. The Cave Swallow has the smallest range and can be found along the southern perimeters of New Mexico and Texas with a small colony in southern Florida. The Bahama Swallow is a vagrant swallow and is sometimes seen in the southern regions of Florida.
The swallows feed on insects and these acrobatic birds catch their prey as they manoeuvre through the air. They are mostly found near water and most swallow species build their nests from mud. The exception to this is the Bank Swallow, who prefers to burrow into the sides of sandbanks. The Tree Swallow and Violet-green Swallow, prefer to nest in the cavities of trees and posts and they use manmade birdhouses, when given the opportunity.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
