Tree swallows are a beautiful North American song bird, popular among amateur and serious birdwatchers. Similar to bluebirds, tree swallows nest in both natural cavities and in human-made, wooden nest boxes. Because of this, they are an easy bird for scientists to monitor, making them one of the most-studied song birds in North America (source). You might be wondering if tree swallows eat at bird feeders.
As a general rule, tree swallows do not eat at bird feeders. A tree swallow’s diet consists mainly of flying insects such as beetles, damselflies, mayflies, wasps, and flying ants. Since plant foods only make up a small percentage of a tree swallow’s diet, it is rare to see these birds at feeders.
If you have ever seen tree swallows eating, this fact probably won’t come as a surprise to you. Here’s why tree swallows don’t eat at bird feeders.
Why Tree Swallows Don’t Eat at Feeders
Tree swallows fly through the air, performing acrobatic feats, in order to catch flying insects. They usually fly over open fields, front yards, and bodies of water in pursuit of their prey.
It would be highly out of character to see a tree swallow resting at a feeder to eat seeds or suet from a sitting position. That’s not the type of food they eat and that’s not how they act.
In this article, I will explain a few places you can go to watch tree swallows feeding in their natural habitat, and how you can potentially attract them to your yard.
Where to See Tree Swallows Feeding in their Natural Habitat
Assuming you are in Canada or the northern half of the United States (Tree swallows’ typical breeding territory throughout the year), there are plenty of places that you can go to find tree swallows catching insects in their natural environment without the aid of a bird feeder. Beginning your search in a rural area near a body of water is a good place to start.
Let’s go over three common places where you are most likely to find tree swallows feeding in their natural habitat. Once you know what to look for, you’ll start seeing Tree swallows everywhere you turn.
1. In an Open Field near a Body of Water
One of the best places to find tree swallows catching their prey is in an open field near a body of water. If you have a wide-open front yard with a pond, for example, there’s a high likelihood you could see tree swallows this summer.
Tree swallows rely on large, open spaces through which they fly, swooping around in the air to catch airborne insects. This is why wide-open spaces are so important to them in general. They also scoop up water mid-flight, so unlike other birds that can drink from puddles or bird baths, tree swallows need a natural body of water from which to drink.
The combination of an open field next to a body of water is a prime location to spot tree swallows eating in their natural environment.
2. In a Large Lawn while Mowing the Grass
If you have a large lawn in a rural area, your lawn mowing routine provides a unique opportunity for feeding tree swallows.
When you mow your lawn, the mower kicks up hundreds of small flying insects that are happily hiding in the long grass. When these flies, moths, and flying ants go flying into the air, they often attract tree swallows and other birds that catch airborne insects. It can often become a feeding frenzy!
I remember mowing my parents’ lawn in Indiana when I was a child and it felt like I was being chased by flocks of tree swallows and barn swallows. They would often show up in groups of 10-20 and swoop around me while I was mowing. I even observed tree swallows catching white moths in mid-air right in front of me as I was mowing. It’s quite a sight to see. If you take care of a large lawn, especially if there’s a natural body of water nearby, consider looking out for tree swallows while you mow.
3. Near a Marsh or Beaver Pond
Tree swallows can also be observed catching insects in marshy areas, especially near beaver ponds. Depending on where you live, this may be difficult landscape to come by, but if you happen to live near a marsh, keep an eye out for tree swallows.
Since tree swallows love to catch insects in open areas near natural bodies of water, wide-open marshlands are a very attractive place for them to spend their time. Beaver ponds are particularly attractive to tree swallows as well, because the water is usually fresh, there are likely some dead trees around to nest in, and the ecosystem is alive and teaming with flying insects. Seek out a marsh or beaver pond if you have one nearby and you might just spot a pair of tree swallows in the area.
A Few Tips to Attract Tree Swallows to Your Yard
Attracting tree swallows to your yard can be as simple as setting up a wooden nest box in the right location. Similar to bluebirds, tree swallows often rely on human-made nest boxes because house sparrows and European starlings compete heavily for natural cavities.
If you have a wide-open yard, especially if you are near a body of water, set up a nest box in the corner and monitor it throughout the summer. There’s a good chance that you will attract a pair of tree swallows or another native, cavity-nesting bird to the nest box.
Conclusion: Do Tree Swallows Eat at Feeders?
Even though insect-eating tree swallows do not typically eat at bird feeders, there are plenty of places where you can spot them eating insects in their natural habitat. Backyards, fields, and marshlands near natural bodies of water are a great place to start. Once you know where to look, it’s easy and fun to try to spot swallows in the wild catching their prey in the air.
If you are interested in learning more about attracting tree swallows to your yard, click here to learn more. We have a few other articles about tree swallows that I hope you’ll find helpful.