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Bird Identification

Swallows & Martins

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Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor L 5 ¾" (15 cm)

Photo by Maslowski Wildlife Productions.

Listen to a tree swallow.

One of our most common and visible birds, the tree swallow is recognized by its metallic blue-green back, white underparts, and slightly forked tail. It breeds from the edge of the tree line in northern Canada to the southern tier of the United States and winters from the Gulf Coast south. In migration it can be seen anywhere and sometimes gathers in flocks of more than a million birds. It breeds in natural cavities and bird boxes, almost always near water. The ready availability of man-made nest sites has helped it spread in many areas. The song is a rapid series of often paired whistled notes. The most common calls include a rapid twittering and short, high, buzzy zee notes.

This sound file requires RealPlayer. Bird song courtesy of Lang Elliott, NatureSound Studio.

Wading Birds

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