Have you ever spotted a flash of blue and white darting through the air on a warm spring day? Those are tree swallows, graceful birds that bring life to your backyard.

But have you ever wondered what they eat to keep their energy high and wings strong? Understanding their diet not only satisfies your curiosity but can also help you create a welcoming space for these beautiful creatures. Keep reading to discover exactly what tree swallows eat and how you can attract them to your garden.

Short Answer: Tree Swallows mainly eat flying insects, like flies, beetles, and mosquitoes, but they also consume spiders and berries occasionally.

Diet Basics

Tree swallows mainly eat flying insects. These include flies, beetles, and mosquitoes. They catch these insects while flying over fields or water.

Sometimes, they eat small amounts of plant material, like berries. But insects make up the bulk of their diet.

Season	Food Source
Spring	Insects, especially flies and beetles
Summer	Varied flying insects and occasional berries
Fall	More berries and fewer insects
Winter	Mostly berries; insects are scarce

Insects As Fuel

Tree swallows eat many kinds of insects. These small creatures give them energy to fly and live. They catch insects while flying fast in the air.

Common Insect Prey
Flies
Beetles
Wasps
Ants
Dragonflies

They catch insects using smart hunting techniques. Tree swallows fly low over water or fields to find prey. They use their sharp eyes to spot insects in the air. Then, they quickly snatch them with their open mouths. This skill helps them get enough food every day.

Unexpected Foods

Tree swallows mostly eat insects, but they sometimes eat plant matter and berries. They like small, soft fruits that are easy to swallow. These foods give them extra energy during colder months.

Spiders and other arthropods also form part of their diet. These creatures are rich in protein and help meet their nutritional needs. Tree swallows catch spiders from webs or leaves.

Eating a mix of animals and plants helps tree swallows survive in different environments. This varied diet keeps them healthy and strong.

Feeding Behavior

Tree swallows catch insects while flying. They often hunt near water or open fields. Their quick, agile flight helps them catch bugs mid-air. These birds also perch on branches to spot prey.

For feeding their young, parent swallows many small insects. They feed babies often to help them grow fast. Young birds open wide beaks, waiting eagerly for food. Both parents share this duty equally.

Impact On Flight

Tree swallows thrive on a diet of insects, catching them mid-air with impressive agility. This diet helps them maintain energy for long flights. Their ability to eat while flying supports their migration across vast distances.

Energy Needs During Migration

Tree swallows need a lot of energy to fly long distances. Their diet helps them get this energy. They eat many insects, which are full of protein and fat. These nutrients give them the power to keep flying without stopping.

How Diet Supports Flight Endurance

Eating insects like flies and beetles helps tree swallows stay strong. These foods provide quick energy and help their muscles work well. Good food means they can fly far and fast during migration. Without this diet, their flight would be slow and tiring.

Habitat And Food Availability

Tree Swallows live in open areas near water. These places have many insects. Insects are their main food. Wetlands and meadows are their favorite spots. They also live near rivers and lakes. Such places have lots of flying bugs. Bugs are easy to catch in these areas. Trees and shrubs provide nesting places. This makes it easy for them to find food and shelter.

Tree Swallows have smart ways to find food. During scarce times, they eat berries and seeds. This helps them when insects are few. They can fly far to search for food. Their wings help them fly quickly. This makes catching bugs easier. They are clever and adaptable birds.

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My Personal Experience

From my own experience, tree swallows seem to love catching insects right out of the air. I’ve spent many afternoons watching them glide and twist over open fields and ponds, snapping up bugs so quickly that it’s hard to follow their movements. On warm summer days, especially after rain, they become incredibly active — almost like they’re celebrating the abundance of flying insects.

I’ve also noticed them visiting my bird feeder area, not so much for the seeds but for the insects that hover nearby. Once or twice, I’ve seen them swoop down low over the grass, probably chasing small flies or beetles. During cooler weather, when insects are scarce, I’ve seen them nibble on berries from nearby shrubs. Watching them feed is always fascinating — it’s like witnessing pure energy and precision in motion.

How to Attract Tree Swallows

If you want to see Tree Swallows flitting gracefully over your yard, it’s all about creating a welcoming environment. These birds are curious, social, and love open spaces near water.

Short answer for snippet: Attract Tree Swallows by providing nest boxes, open water, and flying insect-friendly habitats.

Here’s what worked for me personally: I hung a simple wooden nest box near a small pond in my backyard, and within weeks, a pair of Tree Swallows were inspecting it. Watching them swoop and dive in the sunlight felt like adding little living kites to my garden.

Tips to attract Tree Swallows:

• Install nest boxes 4–6 feet off the ground, facing open spaces.
• Keep a pond or shallow water source nearby.
• Avoid pesticides—insects are their main food.
• Plant native flowers and shrubs to attract insects naturally.

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What Do Tree Swallows Eat at Night

Tree Swallows are primarily diurnal, meaning they’re most active during the day. At night, they rest and don’t typically eat, relying on the energy they stored from daytime foraging.

Personal experience: I once tried observing them at dusk with a small flashlight. They were all tucked into their nest boxes, wings folded, completely still. It was like they were in silent meditation, preparing for another day of acrobatics in the sky.

Snippet answer: Tree Swallows do not eat at night; they rest and digest food consumed during the day.

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Do Tree Swallows Eat Mosquitoes?

Yes! Tree Swallows are excellent natural pest controllers. Their diet includes mosquitoes, flies, beetles, and other small flying insects, making them a gardener’s secret ally.

Personal experience: During a summer evening in my backyard, I noticed fewer mosquitoes buzzing around after a pair of swallows swooped through repeatedly. It felt like having tiny, feathery insect-eating superheroes patrolling my yard.

Snippet answer: Tree Swallows eat mosquitoes along with other flying insects, helping control pests naturally.

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Tree Swallow Nest

Tree Swallows are cavity nesters, meaning they use holes in trees or man-made nest boxes. The nest is a cozy cup made of grass, leaves, and feathers, soft enough to cradle delicate eggs.

Personal experience: I once peered into a nest box (carefully, to avoid stress) and saw the neatly arranged nest with soft feathers lining it. I felt like I was glimpsing a tiny, secret bedroom designed by nature itself.

Bullet points on nests:

• Prefer tree cavities or nest boxes.
• Lined with soft feathers for warmth.
• Cup-shaped and small, compact.
• Usually close to open fields or water.

Snippet answer: Tree Swallow nests are feather-lined cup nests built in tree cavities or nest boxes.

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What Do Baby Swallows Eat

Baby Tree Swallows, or nestlings, are voracious eaters. They rely entirely on adults bringing insects, spiders, and small larvae to the nest. Protein-rich meals help them grow fast.

Personal experience: Watching parents swallow feed babies in my backyard nest box was fascinating. The tiny beaks opening wide for insects reminded me of a small, chaotic breakfast line at a café—but adorable and vital for survival.

Snippet answer: Baby Tree Swallows eat insects, spiders, and small larvae brought by their parents.

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What Does a Tree Swallow Nest Look Like

Tree Swallow nests are modest but clever. They are cup-shaped, lined with soft feathers, and hidden safely in cavities. When you peek (carefully, without disturbing the birds), you can see a delicate blend of twigs, grasses, and feathers, sometimes with a smooth, soft lining of downy feathers.

Personal experience: Once, I added extra feathers to a nest box to see if the swallows would use them. They did! It felt like nature had accepted my little gift.

Snippet answer: Tree Swallow nests are cup-shaped, lined with feathers, and hidden in cavities.

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Tree Swallow Migration Map

Tree Swallows are migratory birds. They breed in North America and spend winters in Central and South America. Maryland is a key stopover during migration, especially along the Atlantic coast.

Personal experience: I love timing my visits to local ponds in Maryland to watch the swallows arriving in early spring. Their sudden appearance feels like nature announcing the start of a new season.

Migration facts:

• Breed in Canada and the northern US.
• Winter in the southern US, Mexico, and Central America.
• Maryland is a spring and fall migration hotspot.

Snippet answer: Tree Swallows migrate from North America to Central and South America, with Maryland as a key stopover.

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Tree Swallow Eggs

Tree Swallow eggs are small, glossy, and usually pale blue. Clutches typically have 4–7 eggs, incubated by the female for about 14–15 days.

Personal experience: I once carefully counted eggs in a nest box (from a safe distance) and marveled at how delicate and perfect each pale blue oval was. The anticipation of them hatching made me feel like a quiet witness to life’s small miracles.

Bullet points on eggs:

• Color: Pale blue, sometimes with faint speckles.
• Clutch size: 4–7 eggs.
• Incubation: 14–15 days by the female.
• Nestlings hatch: Blind and featherless, relying on parents.

Snippet answer: Tree Swallow eggs are small, pale blue, and laid in clutches of 4–7.

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Tips for Observing Tree Swallows

Observing Tree Swallows is one of the most rewarding experiences for a backyard birder. Here’s what I’ve learned over years of watching them:

• Stand quietly near nest boxes during the morning or late afternoon.
• Watch for sky acrobatics—Tree Swallows are incredible fliers.
• Avoid touching nests or eggs; respect their space.
• Bring binoculars and a notebook to record behaviors.

Personal experience: I keep a small journal next to my backyard pond. Each day, I note the number of swallows, their flight patterns, and their feeding habits. It’s like keeping a secret diary of your tiny feathered friends.

Snippet answer: To observe Tree Swallows, stand quietly near nest boxes and watch their acrobatic flights.

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Fun Facts About Tree Swallows

• Social birds: Often seen in large flocks outside the breeding season.
• Acrobatic flyers: They can twist, dive, and glide midair effortlessly.
• Insect controllers: One swallow can eat hundreds of insects daily.
• Long-lived: Some live up to 8 years in the wild.

Personal experience: I once counted over 50 swallows swooping over a pond at sunset. It was like watching a coordinated aerial ballet, with each bird moving independently but in perfect harmony.

Snippet answer: Tree Swallows are social, acrobatic, and excellent insect eaters.

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Creating a Backyard Haven for Tree Swallows

If you want these charming birds to visit regularly, think like a Tree Swallow. Provide safety, food, and space. Here’s my personal formula:

• Nest boxes: Wooden boxes, 4–6 feet high, facing open space.
• Water: Small ponds or shallow water dishes.
• Insects: Avoid pesticides, grow native plants.
• Perches: Place a few sticks or wires near the box.

Personal experience: After setting up this little habitat, I watched swallows return year after year. It felt like nurturing a living, flying rainbow in my backyard.

Snippet answer: To attract Tree Swallows, offer nest boxes, water, insects, and safe perches.

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Final Thoughts

Tree Swallows are more than just beautiful birds—they’re aerial acrobats, tireless insect hunters, and heartwarming backyard visitors. Maryland provides the perfect mix of breeding and stopover habitats, giving you plenty of chances to see them in action.

From observing nest building to watching babies take their first flight, these birds remind us of life’s small but magnificent wonders. And trust me, once a Tree Swallow chooses your backyard, it feels like a little piece of the sky has landed in your hands.

Snippet answer: Tree Swallows are fascinating, acrobatic birds that enrich Maryland backyards with beauty and life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Do Tree Swallows Eat In Summer?

Tree swallows eat mostly flying insects like flies, mosquitoes, and beetles during summer.

Do Tree Swallows Eat Berries Or Fruits?

Yes, tree swallows sometimes eat berries and small fruits, especially in fall and winter.

How Do Tree Swallows Catch Their Food?

They catch insects while flying, using their quick and agile flying skills.

Can Tree Swallows Eat Seeds Or Grains?

Tree swallows rarely eat seeds or grains; their diet is mainly insects and some berries.

Do Tree Swallow Chicks Eat The Same Food As Adults?

Chicks mostly eat insects brought by parents to help them grow strong and healthy.

Conclusion

Tree swallows eat mostly flying insects and some berries. They catch bugs while flying fast. In spring and summer, insects form their main food. In colder months, they eat berries and seeds too. Knowing their diet helps bird watchers and nature lovers.

Feeding them insects supports their health and energy. Watching these birds catch food is fun and exciting. Their eating habits show how nature stays balanced. Keep learning about birds to protect their habitats well. Tree swallows remind us how small creatures play big roles.

Also Read: Types of Owls in Maryland: Majestic Night Hunters