How to identify it:  Long forked tail, dark upperside, orangish under

This is the easiest swallow to identify in flight due to its long, forked tail.  It soars over fields and meadows from April to August, although in some years a few birds stick around late or show up even in the winter.  In late August to early September large groups can be seen perched on wires just prior to migration and by the end of September most are gone.  They build mud nests almost exclusively in man-made structures such as barns, bridges or under the eaves of houses and will use the same structure year after year, sometimes adding nests atop the previous years so that the whole column can extend more than 2 feet tall.  The nests are held together with sticky saliva and nest building begins in Late April and early May. Young a raised in June and most have fledged by early August, although in good years two broods may be raised and young might not fledge from the second brood until September.
 

How to Identify it:  The dark and light on the head forms a line from the beak and the eye is dark. 

This is one of the earliest of the swallows to appear in the spring and in most years they start arriving by late February. The early arrivals forage in marshes and on lakes.  Most start nesting in April, choosing a dead alder or other soft wood tree close to water. They do not excavate the nests themselves but rework woodpecker and other holes to suit their needs.  Young are fledged by July and they may occasionally  produce two broods.  They are all generally gone from our area by mid September.

How to Identify it: White color on head circles the eye, the underside of the rump shows white well along the sides.

This swallow arrives in March and is found in a wider variety of habitats than the tree swallow, often taking to suburban nest boxes and areas well away from water.  They are cavity nesters and will utilize any cavity which meets their needs.  The young are raised in July and usually by the end of August and early September large groups will congregate on wires or fences just prior to fall migration. 

How to Identify it:  White patch on forehead, light stripe separates head and back in flight, reddish on underside of head and on rump

This swallow arrives in April to claim or make their gourd shaped nests under bridges, eaves of houses or on cliffs. Nests are found in areas near water and require mud of a particular consistency. They nest in colonies with nests often tightly packed together.  Nests are used for many years but nest parasites may cause abandonment of nests or rebuilding of nests atop old ones. Young are cared for during May and June and the young join their parents for a few weeks feeding before heading south in late August and early September.

How to Identify it:  Black or dark gray fast soaring bird with a cylindrical body and longish, curved pointed wings.

Swifts are rarely seen except in flight, they arrive in April, zooming 200 or more feet above the ground in chase of flying insects, often in small groups. There are two species typically seen, Vaux's, and Black. Vaux's swifts are smaller and a bit lighter in color but most of the time you see them as fast moving silhouettes so the color is hard to make out. They tend to hunt over lakes and streams, but can be seen over forests as well. They build nests in hollow trees or chimneys. During spring and fall migrations thousands of Vauxes swifts will gather in early evening at roost sites, often an old, large unused chimney.  They will circle the roost, then enter, flipping upside down and landing tail first in the roost.  In large groups this makes a amazing scene, much like reverse smoke going into the chimney. They are usually gone by mid to late September.