Tree Swallow. 9x9 on 140 lb watercolor paper. The tree swallow (*Tachycineta bicolor*) is a small, sleek songbird found across North America, instantly recognizable by its stunning iridescent blue-green upperparts that can shimmer with hints of teal and turquoise in sunlight, contrasting sharply with its clean, bright white underparts. It has a streamlined, aerodynamic body — typically about 5–6 inches long — with long, pointed wings, a slightly forked tail, and a short, flat bill perfectly suited for catching insects on the wing. Females and juveniles tend to be duller, with more brownish tones on the back. Tree swallows are agile, acrobatic fliers, spending much of their time swooping and gliding over open fields, wetlands, and water in pursuit of flying insects. They nest in tree cavities or nest boxes near water, and are one of the first migratory songbirds to return north in spring, often arriving while snow still lingers on the ground.