When do swallows leave District of Columbia?

Most Chimney Swifts have left District of Columbia by the second week of October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.

When is the best time to see swallows in District of Columbia?

The Chimney Swift is reported most often in late May, on about 57% of District of Columbia checklists.

Which swallows are in District of Columbia?

Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Purple Martin, and Bank Swallow are reported regularly; the Chimney Swift is the most common.

6 swallow species in District of Columbia

When Do Swallows Arrive in District of Columbia?

Photo: Ali Campbell, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Chimney Swifts, Barn Swallows, and Tree Swallows are the swallows you are most likely to see in District of Columbia. Chimney Swifts reach District of Columbia in the second week of April, are common by mid April, peak in late May (57% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of October.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 8-14the second week of April

Common byApr 15-21mid April

PeakMay 22-31late May

Most gone byOct 8-14the second week of October

Best: late May. First arrivals the second week of April; most are gone by the second week of October. Peak: on about 57% of District of Columbia checklists.

Jannot usually seen
Febnot usually seen
Marnot usually seen
Aprcommon
Maypeak season
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augpeak season
Sepcommon
Octcommon
Novnot usually seen
Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in District of Columbia, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Chimney Swift	Apr 8-14	Apr 15-21	May 22-31	Oct 8-14	57%
Barn Swallow	Mar 22-31	Apr 15-21	Jul 8-14	Aug 15-21	29%
Tree Swallow	Mar 1-7	Mar 15-21	Apr 8-14	Jul 8-14	18%
Cliff Swallow	Apr 8-14	Apr 22-30	Jun 8-14	Jul 22-31	8.1%
Purple Martin	Mar 22-31	Apr 1-7	Jul 8-14	Aug 8-14	4.1%
Bank Swallow	Apr 15-21	Apr 15-21	May 8-14	Jun 1-7	1.8%

Chimney Swift
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
Cliff 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 District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia

Best counties for Chimney Swift

Share of checklists at the peak

District of Columbia CountyBest late May · 3605 checklists that week, 121,721 in all57%

All swallows in District of Columbia

6 species are reported regularly: 5 are summer visitors and 1 mostly pass through.

#	Species	Pattern	First arrivals	Peak	Peak %
1	Barn Swallow	Summer visitor	Mar 22-31	Jul 8-14	29%
2	Northern Rough-winged Swallow	Summer visitor	Mar 15-21	Jun 8-14	20%
3	Tree Swallow	Summer visitor	Mar 1-7	Apr 8-14	18%
4	Cliff Swallow	Summer visitor	Apr 8-14	Jun 8-14	8.1%
5	Purple Martin	Summer visitor	Mar 22-31	Jul 8-14	4.1%
6	Bank Swallow	Passes through	Apr 15-21	May 8-14	1.8%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in District of Columbia?: Chimney Swifts reach District of Columbia in the second week of April, are common by mid April, peak in late May (57% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of October.
When do swallows leave District of Columbia?: Most Chimney Swifts have left District of Columbia by the second week of October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.
When is the best time to see swallows in District of Columbia?: The Chimney Swift is reported most often in late May, on about 57% of District of Columbia checklists.
Which swallows are in District of Columbia?: Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Purple Martin, and Bank Swallow are reported regularly; the Chimney Swift is the most common.