Swallows of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has large areas of varied natural habitats that offer suitable homes for a wide range of bird species. The state is home to five different species of swallows alone, which are all small, distinctively shaped birds. Pointed wings and forked tails are physical traits that most swallows possess and are adaptations for speedy flight.

  1. Tree Swallow

    • The tree swallow is a small bird that grows between 4 to 6 inches in length, with a wingspan over 13 inches, and weighs up to an ounce. The bird is blue-green on its back and head with a white belly and chin. It is found in Pennsylvania during the summer breeding season, but travels south for the winter.

    Bank Swallow

    • The bank swallow grows to between 4 and 5 1/2 inches in length, with a wingspan of over 11 inches, and weighs just over 1/2 ounce. It has brown coloration on its back and head with white on its belly and chin. The bird travels to Pennsylvania and the rest of the U.S. in the summer to breed, and winters in Central and South America.

    Cliff Swallow

    • The cliff swallow is a summer visitor to the state, using most of the U.S. for breeding before it returns to South America in the winter. The bird grows to around 5 inches long with a wingspan of almost 12 inches, and weighs just over an ounce. It has a dark-colored back with a pale underside and rump, and a brownish-red face.

    Northern Rough-Winged Swallow

    • The northern rough-winged swallow winters in Central America but breeds in North America in the summer, including Pennsylvania. It grows to between 4 and 6 inches in length with a wingspan of almost 12 inches, and weighs over 1/2 ounce. It is brown to light brown almost all over, with a pale throat.

    Barn Swallow

    • The barn swallow is the largest of the species found in Pennsylvania and is only a summer visitor that flies to South America in winter. It has a dark blue sheeny back and head with a white underside and a Rufus-colored throat. The species is the most widespread and common of all swallow species in the world.