Violet-green Swallow - Tachycineta thalassina
General Description
Beneath, pure white. Above, soft velvety green or greenish bronze, with a very faint shade of purplish-violet concentrated on the nape into a transverse band. Ear coverts partly or mainly white almost encircling the eyes. A white patch on each side of rump . Looks smaller in flight than other swallows. (Brown, C. R., Knott, A. M., and Damrose, E. J. The Birds of North America, No. 14, 1992).
Distribution
Montana Range
Observations in Montana: 1188
Montana CountiesBeaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sanders, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Valley, Wheatland, Yellowstone
Migration
In the Bozeman area, normal migration periods are from April 25 to May 15 and September 1 to 10.
Habitat
Occurs principally in montane coniferous forests. Breeding range includes open deciduous, coniferous, and mixed woodlands. Often perches on wires and exposed tree branches. (Brown, Knott, and Damrose 1992).
Food Habits
Flying insects exclusively. Not known to feed on seeds or berries. (Brown, Knott, and Damrose 1992).
Reproductive Characteristics
Nests in cavities of various sites including trees, cliffs, and nesting boxes. Likes trees in open areas. Often nests in inaccessible sites such as abandoned woodpecker holes in tall dead trees. Apparently monogamous. Single broods are standard but second broods have been recorded in Montana. Clutch size is 4 - 6 eggs. (Brown, Knott, and Damrose 1992). Near Fortine, nests have been completed by May 15, and occupied by young during June and early July. Nests statewide have been reported from early June into early July.