Violet-green Swallow

 Each time we go to Yellowstone we look for violet-green swallows around the Old Faithful area. As with many types of swallows they like to nest under the eaves of building and there are plenty of spots around Old faithful for them to nest. The violet-green swallow is a bird that is found through out the western half of North America. They breed as far north as Alaska and as far south as Mexico. Since they eat primarily insects which they catch in the air most of them migrate south for the winter down into Mexico and Central America where there are plenty of bugs to eat. Birds that breed in parts of Mexico are typically year round residents. Even though they seem to breed in Yellowstone we do not see them every time that we go. It usually depends on how long the winter lasted, whether they have returned by the time we arrive at the end of May. This year we found none at Old Faithful but there were quite a few flying around West Yellowstone where we stayed.

Violet-green Swallow

 

The violet-green swallow nests in the western half of North America from Alaska to Mexico. Like the tree swallow, which are common in the eastern half of North America, they are cavity nesters. Since tree swallows are slightly larger they are more likely to take over prime nesting locations where the species range over laps in the middle of the continent. During the winter these swallows migrate to Central and northern South America. This is only the second time that we have seen this species in Yellowstone. Usually winter still has its grasp on the area when we visit so they do not return until after we leave. This year though, Yellowstone sent all of the cold and snow to Minnesota and they had a mild winter so the swallows had already returned. When we do see these birds it is usually around Old Faithful. They seem to like to nest in crevasses in the buildings. 

Violet-green Swallow

The violet-green sparrow is the most colorful sparrow that I have ever seen. Most of their feathers are a vibrant green color, similar to that of tree sparrows.The green is accented by black and purple wing tips and a mostly purple tail. They are found in the western half of North America breeding as far north as Alaska. They spend the winter in Mexico, Central America and northern South America.  

 The violet-green sparrow breeds in open woodlands.They are a cavity nesters, nesting in tree cavities, rock crevices and old woodpecker holes. They will also nest in more man made items such as under the eaves of buildings, under bridges and sometimes even in nesting boxes. Although they may nest individually they sometimes nest in colonies of up to 50 birds. They also migrate and sometimes feed communally in flocks often mixed with other species of swallow.