WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Minnesota

When Do Swallows Arrive in Minnesota?

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 Minnesota. Tree Swallows reach Minnesota in early April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of May (32% of checklists), and most are gone by late July.

When to look

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

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals early April; most are gone by late July. Peak: on about 32% of Minnesota checklists.

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

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

Swallows in Minnesota, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Tree SwallowApr 1-7Apr 15-21May 8-14Jul 22-3132%
Barn SwallowApr 15-21May 1-7Jul 22-31Sep 1-731%
Chimney SwiftApr 22-30May 1-7May 22-31Aug 22-3110%
Cliff SwallowApr 22-30May 8-14Jul 8-14Aug 22-318.5%
Purple MartinApr 22-30May 1-7Jul 22-31Aug 22-316.9%
Bank SwallowMay 1-7May 1-7Jul 8-14Aug 22-313.1%
0%10%20%30%40%Tree SwallowBarn SwallowChimney SwiftCliff SwallowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Tree Swallow
  • Barn Swallow
  • Chimney Swift
  • Cliff 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota

Best counties for Tree Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Stevens CountyBest mid May · 160 checklists that week, 2,839 in all63%
  2. Todd CountyBest the second week of June · 94 checklists that week, 4,802 in all62%
  3. Le Sueur CountyBest mid June · 104 checklists that week, 5,034 in all60%
  4. Pope CountyBest the second week of May · 53 checklists that week, 1,411 in all59%
  5. Murray CountyBest mid May · 73 checklists that week, 1,513 in all57%
  6. Otter Tail CountyBest mid May · 454 checklists that week, 10,351 in all57%

All swallows in Minnesota

6 species are reported regularly: 6 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Tree SwallowSummer visitorApr 1-7May 8-1432%
2Barn SwallowSummer visitorApr 15-21Jul 22-3131%
3Cliff SwallowSummer visitorApr 22-30Jul 8-148.5%
4Purple MartinSummer visitorApr 22-30Jul 22-316.9%
5Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorApr 15-21May 8-146.1%
6Bank SwallowSummer visitorMay 1-7Jul 8-143.1%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Minnesota?
Tree Swallows reach Minnesota in early April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of May (32% of checklists), and most are gone by late July.
When do swallows leave Minnesota?
Most Tree Swallows have left Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
The Tree Swallow is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 32% of Minnesota checklists.
Which swallows are in Minnesota?
Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Cliff Swallow, Purple Martin, and Bank Swallow are reported regularly; the Tree Swallow is the most common.