Riparia riparia
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Mass
~15 g
Habitat
Rivers and streams
Diet
Insects and invertebrates
How to recognize it
The Bank Swallow is a small, light-looking swallow with quick, steady flight, often low over water. On the wing it feels busy and purposeful rather than showy, and its sharp calls carry well.
It spends much of the day catching insects in flight. Around nest holes it can become noisy, and breeding pairs often sit close together and chatter softly.
It favors steep riverbanks, lake shores, sand pits, and other places with soft, loose ground. It is migratory and heads south for winter, feeding mostly on insects.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The Bank Swallow is a small, light-looking swallow with quick, steady flight, often low over water. On the wing it feels busy and purposeful rather than showy, and its sharp calls carry well.
It spends much of the day catching insects in flight. Around nest holes it can become noisy, and breeding pairs often sit close together and chatter softly.
It favors steep riverbanks, lake shores, sand pits, and other places with soft, loose ground. It is migratory and heads south for winter, feeding mostly on insects.
