The Violet-green Swallow is a common breeding bird in the montane coniferous forests of western North America. Breeding Bird Survey data for Canada show little overall change in the national population relative to about 1970, though there is some regional variation. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
In the 1980s, there was a negative change point in the Breeding Bird Survey population trends of swallows, swifts, and nightjars across most of North America (Smith et al. 2015). However, the Violet-green Swallow stands out as the only swallow in Canada that is not showing a large decrease (over -50%) in population at the national level. Why this species is faring slightly better than others in the group is currently unclear, though the species' ability to nest both on remote cliffs and near human habitation may help (Erskine 1979).
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.