WhenToBird

7 swallow species in Nebraska

When Do Swallows Arrive in Nebraska?

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

Barn Swallows, Cliff Swallows, and Tree Swallows are the swallows you are most likely to see in Nebraska. Barn Swallows reach Nebraska in the second week of April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of August (46% of checklists), and most are gone by late September.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 8-14the second week of April
Common byApr 22-30late April
PeakAug 8-14the second week of August
Most gone bySep 22-30late September

Best: the second week of August. First arrivals the second week of April; most are gone by late September. Peak: on about 46% of Nebraska checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maycommon
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in Nebraska, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Barn SwallowApr 8-14Apr 22-30Aug 8-14Sep 22-3046%
Cliff SwallowApr 15-21May 1-7Jul 1-7Aug 22-3121%
Tree SwallowMar 15-21Apr 1-7Apr 22-30Jul 22-3119%
Chimney SwiftApr 15-21May 1-7Jul 8-14Sep 22-3015%
Purple MartinApr 1-7Apr 8-14Jul 22-31Sep 1-713%
Bank SwallowApr 15-21Apr 22-30Aug 8-14Sep 1-75.2%
Violet-green SwallowMay 15-21May 15-21Jun 8-14Jul 22-311.2%
0%20%40%60%Barn SwallowCliff SwallowTree SwallowChimney SwiftJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Barn Swallow
  • Cliff Swallow
  • Tree Swallow
  • Chimney Swift
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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska

Best counties for Barn Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Kearney CountyBest mid August · 13 checklists that week, 1,140 in all85%
  2. Dakota CountyBest the second week of July · 14 checklists that week, 2,182 in all79%
  3. Butler CountyBest the second week of August · 10 checklists that week, 589 in all74%
  4. Platte CountyBest early July · 10 checklists that week, 1,287 in all74%
  5. Fillmore CountyBest early July · 18 checklists that week, 503 in all72%
  6. Grant CountyBest mid August · 13 checklists that week, 388 in all71%

All swallows in Nebraska

7 species are reported regularly: 7 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Barn SwallowSummer visitorApr 8-14Aug 8-1446%
2Cliff SwallowSummer visitorApr 15-21Jul 1-721%
3Tree SwallowSummer visitorMar 15-21Apr 22-3019%
4Purple MartinSummer visitorApr 1-7Jul 22-3113%
5Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorApr 8-14May 8-1411%
6Bank SwallowSummer visitorApr 15-21Aug 8-145.2%
7Violet-green SwallowSummer visitorMay 15-21Jun 8-141.2%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Nebraska?
Barn Swallows reach Nebraska in the second week of April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of August (46% of checklists), and most are gone by late September.
When do swallows leave Nebraska?
Most Barn Swallows have left Nebraska by late September, 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 Nebraska?
The Barn Swallow is reported most often in the second week of August, on about 46% of Nebraska checklists.
Which swallows are in Nebraska?
Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Tree Swallow, Chimney Swift, Purple Martin, Bank Swallow, and Violet-green Swallow are reported regularly; the Barn Swallow is the most common.