Swallows · Perching birds
Bank Swallow
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Riparia riparia
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Voice
Call
Sonothèque ADVL
Alarm
Sonothèque ADVL
Song
Doug Hynes
How to recognize it
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12–13 cm, just smaller than a sparrow
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Grey-brown above, dirty white below
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Narrow brown breast band; black bill
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Fast, low, jerky flight over water; gravelly twittering, harsh "chrrrsh"
About the species
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.
Where to find
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Along sandy riverbanks or canal cuts — look for low, fast loops over the water and tiny holes in a vertical bank.
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At gravel pits and loose sand embankments — a colony shows itself by constant flickering flights and a sharp rattling call.
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On steep construction cuttings or raised river walls with crumbly soil — perches on the edge, then darts straight back into narrow burrows.
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During passage, stays close to large waters — skimming low over a pond or river while snapping up insects on the wing.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Riparia riparia Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Sand martin Encyclopedia article