WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Florida

When Do Swallows Arrive in Florida?

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

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

When to look

First arrivalsMar 1-7early March
Common byMar 22-31late March
PeakAug 22-31late August
Most gone byOct 8-14the second week of October

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

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Mayuncommon
  6. Jununcommon
  7. Juluncommon
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novrare
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in Florida, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Barn SwallowMar 1-7Mar 22-31Aug 22-31Oct 8-1425%
Chimney SwiftMar 22-31Apr 8-14May 8-14Oct 1-716%
Tree SwallowAug 22-31Nov 1-7Jan 22-31Apr 1-714%
Purple MartinJan 15-21Feb 8-14May 22-31Sep 1-79.8%
Bank SwallowAug 8-14Aug 8-14Aug 22-31Sep 8-142.5%
Cliff SwallowJul 22-31Jul 22-31Aug 15-21Oct 1-71.8%
0%10%20%30%Barn SwallowChimney SwiftTree SwallowPurple MartinJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Barn Swallow
  • Chimney Swift
  • Tree Swallow
  • Purple Martin
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 Florida 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 Florida

Best counties for Barn Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Monroe CountyBest late August · 816 checklists that week, 62,908 in all61%
  2. Glades CountyBest late August · 245 checklists that week, 6,182 in all59%
  3. Hardee CountyBest early September · 10 checklists that week, 1,078 in all59%
  4. Okeechobee CountyBest late August · 117 checklists that week, 5,380 in all54%
  5. Hendry CountyBest mid August · 36 checklists that week, 3,103 in all53%
  6. Miami-Dade CountyBest late August · 1802 checklists that week, 118,849 in all49%

All swallows in Florida

6 species are reported regularly: 3 are summer visitors, 1 are winter visitors, and 2 mostly pass through.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Barn SwallowSummer visitorMar 1-7Aug 22-3125%
2Tree SwallowWinter visitorAug 22-31Jan 22-3114%
3Purple MartinSummer visitorJan 15-21May 22-319.8%
4Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorDec 15-21Apr 8-142.7%
5Bank SwallowPasses throughAug 8-14Aug 22-312.5%
6Cliff SwallowPasses throughJul 22-31Aug 15-211.8%

Common questions

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