Adult

Description

Size:  6.75”

Plumage/Description:  Males are a deep, dark blue color on the head, back, wings, and tail.  Throat is a rich orange color, breast and belly is a buffy-orange color.  Female’s are similar to male, but breast and belly are paler in color.  Both sexes have a long, deeply forked tailed.

Habitat:  Open habitat, particularly around golf courses and parks.

Time of year:  Spring and summer resident.

Relative Abundance:  Common in spring and summer in appropriate habitat.

Behavior:  An aerial forager, catching insects on the wing as it flies low and fast.  Frequently builds mud nests in entry ways and on porches and patios.

Diet:  Insects.

Similar species:  Other swallow species that occur in this area such as Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Cliff Swallow and Violet-green Swallow.

Best sites:  Antelope Hills Golf Course by the Prescott Airport, Prescott Lakes community anywhere near the golf course along Smoke Tree Road.