Description: The adults are glossed with green and purple on their backs and are white underneath with white patches on the sides of the rump.

Range: They breed from central Alaska and western Canada to the mountains of Mexico. They overwinter in California, Mexico and Central America.

Habitat: Widespread when foraging. The nests are found in holes in trees in open forests and foothill woods as well as in mountains, canyons, cliffs and even in buildings.

General: These swallows fly very quickly and erratically when feeding. They are often seen over water near Victoria, where they congregate to catch emerging aquatic insects. They can be attracted to city gardens with suitable nesting boxes.

References:

Bovey, Robin, Campbell, Wayne, and Gates, Brian. 1989. Birds of Victoria and Vicinity. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton, Alberta.

Peterson, Roger Tory. 1990. Peterson Field Guides: Western Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company. New York, New York.

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