WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Alabama

When Do Swallows Arrive in Alabama?

Adult Barn Swallow
Photo: Diego González Dopico, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Barn Swallows, Chimney Swifts, and Purple Martins are the swallows you are most likely to see in Alabama. Barn Swallows reach Alabama in the second week of March, are common by late March, peak in late April (25% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of August.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 8-14the second week of March
Common byMar 22-31late March
PeakApr 22-30late April
Most gone byAug 8-14the second week of August

Best: late April. First arrivals the second week of March; most are gone by the second week of August. Peak: on about 25% of Alabama checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepuncommon
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novrare
  12. Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Swallows in Alabama, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Barn SwallowMar 8-14Mar 22-31Apr 22-30Aug 8-1425%
Chimney SwiftMar 22-31Apr 1-7May 8-14Oct 1-722%
Purple MartinFeb 8-14Mar 1-7Jun 15-21Jul 22-3117%
Tree SwallowDec 8-14Dec 15-21Mar 22-31Nov 15-217.3%
Cliff SwallowMar 15-21Apr 1-7May 8-14Aug 15-216.4%
Bank SwallowApr 1-7Apr 1-7Apr 22-30May 15-211.2%
0%10%20%30%Barn SwallowChimney SwiftPurple MartinTree SwallowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Barn Swallow
  • Chimney Swift
  • Purple Martin
  • Tree Swallow
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Alabama that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Alabama

Best counties for Barn Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Talladega CountyBest late June · 16 checklists that week, 1,149 in all56%
  2. Calhoun CountyBest early July · 42 checklists that week, 4,218 in all52%
  3. Lowndes CountyBest early September · 36 checklists that week, 1,094 in all49%
  4. Fayette CountyBest mid May · 16 checklists that week, 231 in all46%
  5. Perry CountyBest late May · 51 checklists that week, 1,066 in all46%
  6. Chilton CountyBest the second week of June · 12 checklists that week, 1,513 in all46%

All swallows in Alabama

6 species are reported regularly: 5 are summer visitors and 1 are winter visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Barn SwallowSummer visitorMar 8-14Apr 22-3025%
2Purple MartinSummer visitorFeb 8-14Jun 15-2117%
3Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorMar 1-7May 1-711%
4Tree SwallowWinter visitorDec 8-14Mar 22-317.3%
5Cliff SwallowSummer visitorMar 15-21May 8-146.4%
6Bank SwallowSummer visitorApr 1-7Apr 22-301.2%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Alabama?
Barn Swallows reach Alabama in the second week of March, are common by late March, peak in late April (25% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of August.
When do swallows leave Alabama?
Most Barn Swallows have left Alabama by the second week of August, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late October.
When is the best time to see swallows in Alabama?
The Barn Swallow is reported most often in late April, on about 25% of Alabama checklists.
Which swallows are in Alabama?
Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, and Bank Swallow are reported regularly; the Barn Swallow is the most common.