WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Michigan

When Do Swallows Arrive in Michigan?

Adult Tree Swallow
Photo: Carter Dorscht, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, and Chimney Swifts are the swallows you are most likely to see in Michigan. Tree Swallows reach Michigan in mid March, are common by early April, peak in the second week of May (31% of checklists), and most are gone by late July.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 15-21mid March
Common byApr 1-7early April
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byJul 22-31late July

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals mid March; most are gone by late July. Peak: on about 31% of Michigan checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julcommon
  8. Auguncommon
  9. Sepuncommon
  10. Octrare
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in Michigan, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Tree SwallowMar 15-21Apr 1-7May 8-14Jul 22-3131%
Barn SwallowApr 8-14Apr 22-30Aug 1-7Sep 1-727%
Chimney SwiftApr 15-21May 1-7Aug 1-7Sep 8-1411%
Purple MartinApr 15-21Apr 15-21Jul 22-31Aug 22-317.4%
Bank SwallowApr 22-30May 1-7Jul 15-21Aug 15-214.2%
Cliff SwallowApr 22-30Apr 22-30May 22-31Aug 15-212.3%
0%10%20%30%40%Tree SwallowBarn SwallowChimney SwiftPurple MartinJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Tree Swallow
  • Barn 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 Michigan 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 Michigan

Best counties for Tree Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Monroe CountyBest mid April · 707 checklists that week, 22,078 in all64%
  2. Gratiot CountyBest the second week of May · 226 checklists that week, 5,892 in all62%
  3. Bay CountyBest the second week of May · 861 checklists that week, 16,522 in all60%
  4. Iosco CountyBest the second week of May · 2594 checklists that week, 31,409 in all56%
  5. Clinton CountyBest late May · 508 checklists that week, 10,597 in all50%
  6. Saginaw CountyBest the second week of May · 331 checklists that week, 8,573 in all48%

All swallows in Michigan

6 species are reported regularly: 6 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Tree SwallowSummer visitorMar 15-21May 8-1431%
2Barn SwallowSummer visitorApr 8-14Aug 1-727%
3Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorApr 8-14May 1-79.4%
4Purple MartinSummer visitorApr 15-21Jul 22-317.4%
5Bank SwallowSummer visitorApr 22-30Jul 15-214.2%
6Cliff SwallowSummer visitorApr 22-30May 22-312.3%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Michigan?
Tree Swallows reach Michigan in mid March, are common by early April, peak in the second week of May (31% of checklists), and most are gone by late July.
When do swallows leave Michigan?
Most Tree Swallows have left Michigan by late July, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of September.
When is the best time to see swallows in Michigan?
The Tree Swallow is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 31% of Michigan checklists.
Which swallows are in Michigan?
Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Purple Martin, Bank Swallow, and Cliff Swallow are reported regularly; the Tree Swallow is the most common.