WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Missouri

When Do Swallows Arrive in Missouri?

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

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

When to look

First arrivalsMar 22-31late March
Common byApr 8-14the second week of April
PeakAug 1-7early August
Most gone byAug 22-31late August

Best: early August. First arrivals late March; most are gone by late August. Peak: on about 31% of Missouri checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Maruncommon
  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 Missouri, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Barn SwallowMar 22-31Apr 8-14Aug 1-7Aug 22-3131%
Chimney SwiftApr 8-14Apr 22-30May 15-21Oct 8-1420%
Tree SwallowMar 1-7Mar 8-14Apr 15-21Oct 22-3115%
Purple MartinMar 8-14Mar 22-31Jul 8-14Aug 8-1414%
Cliff SwallowApr 1-7Apr 15-21May 22-31Aug 22-317.4%
Bank SwallowApr 15-21Apr 15-21Aug 8-14Sep 8-143.0%
0%10%20%30%40%Barn SwallowChimney SwiftTree SwallowPurple MartinJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Barn Swallow
  • Chimney Swift
  • 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 Missouri 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 Missouri

Best counties for Barn Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Randolph CountyBest mid July · 10 checklists that week, 838 in all92%
  2. Shelby CountyBest late August · 15 checklists that week, 386 in all84%
  3. Harrison CountyBest late August · 13 checklists that week, 715 in all74%
  4. Moniteau CountyBest mid July · 10 checklists that week, 614 in all70%
  5. Cass CountyBest early July · 143 checklists that week, 7,791 in all69%
  6. Daviess CountyBest early June · 20 checklists that week, 1,354 in all66%

All swallows in Missouri

6 species are reported regularly: 6 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Barn SwallowSummer visitorMar 22-31Aug 1-731%
2Tree SwallowSummer visitorMar 1-7Apr 15-2115%
3Purple MartinSummer visitorMar 8-14Jul 8-1414%
4Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorMar 15-21Apr 22-3011%
5Cliff SwallowSummer visitorApr 1-7May 22-317.4%
6Bank SwallowSummer visitorApr 15-21Aug 8-143.0%

Common questions

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