WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Indiana

When Do Swallows Arrive in Indiana?

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

Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows, and Chimney Swifts are the swallows you are most likely to see in Indiana. Barn Swallows reach Indiana in early April, are common by mid April, peak in early August (29% of checklists), and most are gone by early September.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 1-7early April
Common byApr 15-21mid April
PeakAug 1-7early August
Most gone bySep 1-7early September

Best: early August. First arrivals early April; most are gone by early September. Peak: on about 29% of Indiana checklists.

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

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

Swallows in Indiana, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Barn SwallowApr 1-7Apr 15-21Aug 1-7Sep 1-729%
Tree SwallowMar 1-7Mar 15-21Apr 15-21Aug 1-727%
Chimney SwiftApr 15-21Apr 22-30May 22-31Oct 1-719%
Purple MartinMar 22-31Apr 8-14Jul 22-31Aug 22-3112%
Cliff SwallowApr 15-21Apr 22-30Jul 1-7Aug 22-314.2%
Bank SwallowApr 22-30Apr 22-30Jul 22-31Aug 22-313.4%
0%10%20%30%Barn SwallowTree SwallowChimney SwiftPurple MartinJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Barn Swallow
  • Tree Swallow
  • Chimney Swift
  • 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 Indiana 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 Indiana

Best counties for Barn Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Benton CountyBest the second week of July · 16 checklists that week, 993 in all75%
  2. Lake CountyBest the second week of August · 420 checklists that week, 22,199 in all62%
  3. Clinton CountyBest the second week of June · 15 checklists that week, 900 in all57%
  4. Warren CountyBest late July · 21 checklists that week, 458 in all55%
  5. Steuben CountyBest early August · 69 checklists that week, 4,396 in all53%
  6. Newton CountyBest the second week of August · 201 checklists that week, 8,033 in all52%

All swallows in Indiana

6 species are reported regularly: 6 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Barn SwallowSummer visitorApr 1-7Aug 1-729%
2Tree SwallowSummer visitorMar 1-7Apr 15-2127%
3Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorMar 22-31May 1-714%
4Purple MartinSummer visitorMar 22-31Jul 22-3112%
5Cliff SwallowSummer visitorApr 15-21Jul 1-74.2%
6Bank SwallowSummer visitorApr 22-30Jul 22-313.4%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Indiana?
Barn Swallows reach Indiana in early April, are common by mid April, peak in early August (29% of checklists), and most are gone by early September.
When do swallows leave Indiana?
Most Barn Swallows have left Indiana by early September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid September.
When is the best time to see swallows in Indiana?
The Barn Swallow is reported most often in early August, on about 29% of Indiana checklists.
Which swallows are in Indiana?
Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Chimney Swift, Purple Martin, Cliff Swallow, and Bank Swallow are reported regularly; the Barn Swallow is the most common.