WhenToBird

5 swallow species in Georgia

When Do Swallows Arrive in Georgia?

Adult Chimney Swift
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 Georgia. Chimney Swifts reach Georgia in late March, are common by the second week of April, peak in the second week of May (23% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 22-31late March
Common byApr 8-14the second week of April
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals late March; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 23% of Georgia checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in Georgia, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Chimney SwiftMar 22-31Apr 8-14May 8-14Oct 1-723%
Barn SwallowMar 8-14Apr 1-7Jul 15-21Aug 15-2118%
Tree SwallowSep 15-21Oct 1-7Mar 22-31Jun 22-308.5%
Purple MartinFeb 15-21Mar 1-7Jun 8-14Jul 22-316.2%
Cliff SwallowMar 22-31Apr 1-7May 15-21Aug 8-143.9%
0%10%20%30%Chimney SwiftBarn SwallowTree SwallowPurple MartinJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Chimney Swift
  • Barn Swallow
  • 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 Georgia 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 Georgia

Best counties for Chimney Swift

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Banks CountyBest mid July · 12 checklists that week, 837 in all60%
  2. Jeff Davis CountyBest late May · 10 checklists that week, 627 in all59%
  3. Coffee CountyBest mid June · 22 checklists that week, 977 in all54%
  4. Berrien CountyBest the second week of June · 46 checklists that week, 1,955 in all50%
  5. Bibb CountyBest mid May · 353 checklists that week, 19,154 in all43%
  6. Bulloch CountyBest the second week of May · 153 checklists that week, 7,019 in all42%

All swallows in Georgia

5 species are reported regularly: 4 are summer visitors and 1 are winter visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorMar 1-7Apr 15-2121%
2Barn SwallowSummer visitorMar 8-14Jul 15-2118%
3Tree SwallowWinter visitorSep 15-21Mar 22-318.5%
4Purple MartinSummer visitorFeb 15-21Jun 8-146.2%
5Cliff SwallowSummer visitorMar 22-31May 15-213.9%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Georgia?
Chimney Swifts reach Georgia in late March, are common by the second week of April, peak in the second week of May (23% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.
When do swallows leave Georgia?
Most Chimney Swifts have left Georgia by early 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 Georgia?
The Chimney Swift is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 23% of Georgia checklists.
Which swallows are in Georgia?
Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Purple Martin, and Cliff Swallow are reported regularly; the Chimney Swift is the most common.