WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Louisiana

When Do Swallows Arrive in Louisiana?

Adult Chimney Swift
Photo: Ali Campbell, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Chimney Swifts, Barn Swallows, and Purple Martins are the swallows you are most likely to see in Louisiana. Chimney Swifts reach Louisiana in mid March, are common by late March, peak in the second week of May (28% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 15-21mid March
Common byMar 22-31late March
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals mid March; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 28% of Louisiana 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. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in Louisiana, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Chimney SwiftMar 15-21Mar 22-31May 8-14Oct 1-728%
Barn SwallowMar 1-7Mar 15-21Apr 22-30Oct 22-3127%
Purple MartinFeb 1-7Mar 1-7Jun 15-21Jul 22-3124%
Tree SwallowAug 15-21Oct 8-14Nov 8-14May 1-719%
Cliff SwallowMar 15-21Mar 22-31Jun 8-14Sep 8-147.6%
Bank SwallowAug 8-14Aug 8-14Sep 1-7Oct 8-142.4%
0%10%20%30%Chimney SwiftBarn SwallowPurple MartinTree SwallowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Chimney Swift
  • Barn Swallow
  • 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana

Best counties for Chimney Swift

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Lafayette ParishBest early June · 180 checklists that week, 14,990 in all56%
  2. Lincoln ParishBest early July · 47 checklists that week, 2,271 in all48%
  3. Livingston ParishBest the second week of June · 80 checklists that week, 4,788 in all48%
  4. East Baton Rouge ParishBest early May · 906 checklists that week, 36,673 in all46%
  5. Orleans ParishBest the second week of May · 903 checklists that week, 40,365 in all41%
  6. Tangipahoa ParishBest the second week of May · 173 checklists that week, 5,579 in all40%

All swallows in Louisiana

6 species are reported regularly: 4 are summer visitors and 2 are winter visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Barn SwallowSummer visitorMar 1-7Apr 22-3027%
2Purple MartinSummer visitorFeb 1-7Jun 15-2124%
3Tree SwallowWinter visitorAug 15-21Nov 8-1419%
4Cliff SwallowSummer visitorMar 15-21Jun 8-147.6%
5Northern Rough-winged SwallowWinter visitorMar 1-7Oct 8-146.9%
6Bank SwallowSummer visitorAug 8-14Sep 1-72.4%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Louisiana?
Chimney Swifts reach Louisiana in mid March, are common by late March, peak in the second week of May (28% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.
When do swallows leave Louisiana?
Most Chimney Swifts have left Louisiana by early October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late October.
When is the best time to see swallows in Louisiana?
The Chimney Swift is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 28% of Louisiana checklists.
Which swallows are in Louisiana?
Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, and Bank Swallow are reported regularly; the Chimney Swift is the most common.