Habitat

Inhabits open coniferous, deciduous or mixed forest and woodland, primarily in highlands (frequently at low elevations in north) (AOU 1983). Preferred nest trees are in open areas, e.g. open groves or woodland edges (Brown et al. 1992). Species is a secondary (non-excavating) cavity-nester, may nest in a crevice in a clay or rock cliff, natural tree cavity, woodpecker hole, crevice in building, or bird box; also reported to use old nests of Cliff Swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota) or Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) (Erskine 1979, AOU 1983, Brown et al. 1992, Houston 1999).

References

AOU. 1983. Check-list of North American birds. 6th ed.American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington D. C.

Brown, C. R., Knott, A. M. and E. J. Damrose. 1992. Violet-green Swallow. In The Birds of North America, No. 14 (A. Poole, P. Stettenheim, and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists’ Union.

Erskine, A. J. 1979. Man’s influence on potential nesting sites and populations of swallows in Canada. The Canadian Field-Naturalist 93(4):371-377.

Houston, C.S. 1999. Extension of range of Violet-green Swallow. Blue Jay 57(2):116-117.