By Bruce Fischer

For the past five years one of my favorite times in spring is when the Violet-green Swallows return from South America to my nest boxes. Every year in two different houses I have had either one or two pairs nesting. My kids and I find it so exciting when the first few scouts arrive in March and then finally after daily turf wars, one pair gets to keep the box for that year. Soon they start building their nests out of straw, grasses, string, hair, etc. On warm spring days it is even fun to sprinkle feathers or small pieces of yarn in the yard for them to swoosh down and grab to bring back to their nest.

By mid-May most nests have been started and hopefully 4-6 eggs have been laid. About 2 weeks later the first babies should be hatching and then the work really begins for the adults. For the next 21 days they must consume about 6,000 insects every day to feed their young family. This is not only fun to watch as they dart at speeds up to 28 mph to catch flying insects but a great way to empty your yard of bugs. I have not had a mosquito problem in my backyard since I started raising Violet-green Swallows. And unlike Barn Swallows they leave almost no mess to contend with. At most a little whitewash on the front of the box. They'll even clean out the boxes themselves next year if you don't do it.

The increasing number of nest boxes put up for them seems to be counteracting the decreasing number of natural cavities available. The West Coast population has been slightly increasing since 1966 and the central US population has had a large increase during the same time (they are not found on the East Coast). This is good news for birdwatchers bad news for mosquitoes and gnats.

Violet-green Swallows have the typical swallow shape and flight patterns. Adept aerialists they can somehow zoom through the air and still change course at a moment notice to catch a flying insect. While flying the best characteristic to look for is their white rump. They are the only swallow with a white rump and white breast and it is surprisingly easy to see. Just wait patiently until they turn and they rarely only fly in one direction so they are bound to give you a good look.

When sitting the bird most easily confused with them is the Tree Swallow. To tell them apart study the head, the Violet-green Swallow has white on the cheek and above the high. And if you are lucky enough to be out on a sunny day their iridescent violet-green backs will be a good indication of what they are as well.

After fledging the swallows have little use for the box but we still seem them swooping around our yard the rest of the year devouring insects in their wide mouths. Until finally, autumn arrives and they migrate back to Southern Central America. But not to worry, I'll clean my nest boxes out and rehang them in time for their arrival next spring.