- Riparia riparia
Alternative names: Collared Sand Martin; Bank Swallow
Identification
Length 12-13 cm. Sand-brown upperparts and white underparts with a brown breast band. Forked tail. The bill and legs are black-brown.
Juveniles birds have pale fringes to their back feathers and the breast band is less distinct.
Distribution
Breeds in most of the northern hemisphere, wintering to Africa, southern Asia and South America.
Taxonomy
Five to six subspecies are recognized: riparia, ijimae, shelleyi, eilata, and innominata are widely recognized, taczanowskii only by some authorities. Pale Sand Martin has been split from the present species.
Habitat
Riverbanks, lakesides and sandpits.
Behaviour
The diet includes insects, such as flies and spiders that are caught in flight.
They nest in colonies, burrowing into banks, quarries and cliffs, and usually near water. The nest burrow is built by both parents; the nest chamber is lined with plant material and feathers. The eggs are white, smooth and glossy, and are incubated by both parents and both parents feed the young.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Riparia riparia (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
