WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Texas

When Do Swallows Arrive in Texas?

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

Barn Swallows, Purple Martins, and Chimney Swifts are the swallows you are most likely to see in Texas. Barn Swallows reach Texas in late February, are common by mid March, peak in early May (32% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of September.

When to look

First arrivalsFeb 22-28late February
Common byMar 15-21mid March
PeakMay 1-7early May
Most gone bySep 8-14the second week of September

Best: early May. First arrivals late February; most are gone by the second week of September. Peak: on about 32% of Texas checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febrare
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in Texas, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Barn SwallowFeb 22-28Mar 15-21May 1-7Sep 8-1432%
Purple MartinFeb 15-21Mar 1-7Jun 22-30Aug 8-1421%
Chimney SwiftMar 15-21Apr 1-7May 8-14Oct 1-718%
Cliff SwallowMar 8-14Mar 22-31May 15-21Aug 22-3111%
Tree SwallowSep 1-7Sep 8-14Apr 8-14May 8-145.6%
Bank SwallowJul 22-31Jul 22-31Sep 8-14Oct 15-212.0%
0%10%20%30%40%Barn SwallowPurple MartinChimney SwiftCliff SwallowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Barn Swallow
  • Purple Martin
  • 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 Texas 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 Texas

Best counties for Barn Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Swisher CountyBest the second week of August · 14 checklists that week, 817 in all90%
  2. Lamb CountyBest mid August · 19 checklists that week, 710 in all78%
  3. DeWitt CountyBest late July · 86 checklists that week, 4,050 in all77%
  4. Burleson CountyBest early May · 139 checklists that week, 6,966 in all73%
  5. Garza CountyBest mid August · 14 checklists that week, 888 in all73%
  6. Hockley CountyBest early August · 27 checklists that week, 616 in all70%

All swallows in Texas

7 species are reported regularly: 7 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Barn SwallowSummer visitorFeb 22-28May 1-732%
2Purple MartinSummer visitorFeb 15-21Jun 22-3021%
3Cliff SwallowSummer visitorMar 8-14May 15-2111%
4Tree SwallowSummer visitorSep 1-7Apr 8-145.6%
5Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorFeb 15-21Apr 8-144.9%
6Cave SwallowSummer visitorFeb 15-21Sep 8-143.6%
7Bank SwallowSummer visitorJul 22-31Sep 8-142.0%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Texas?
Barn Swallows reach Texas in late February, are common by mid March, peak in early May (32% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of September.
When do swallows leave Texas?
Most Barn Swallows have left Texas by the second week of September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early November.
When is the best time to see swallows in Texas?
The Barn Swallow is reported most often in early May, on about 32% of Texas checklists.
Which swallows are in Texas?
Barn Swallow, Purple Martin, Chimney Swift, Cliff Swallow, Tree Swallow, and Bank Swallow are reported regularly; the Barn Swallow is the most common.