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Bank Swallow

Riparia ripariaOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Swallows (Hirundinidae)
Bank Swallow Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Light brown in juveniles; Dark brown in adults.
  • Head Pattern: Capped, Plain, Unique pattern
  • Crown Color: Brown
  • Forehead Color: Brown
  • Nape Color: Brown
  • Throat Color: White
  • Cere color: No Data
Bank Swallow Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 12 cm (4.75 in)
  • Weight: 14 g (0.5 oz)
  • Size: Very Small (3 - 5 in)
  • Color Primary: White, Brown
  • Underparts: White with brown breast band.
  • Upperparts: Brown
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: No Data
Bank Swallow Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Swift erratic fluttering flight on shallow wing beats.
  • Wingspan Range: 25-28 cm (10-11 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Forked Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Brown
  • Under Tail: Brown
  • Leg Color: Brown
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Family
Species Riparia riparia
Length4.75 Inches
Wingspan10.5 Inches

Bank Swallow

Bank Swallow: Small swallow with brown upperparts, and a brown breast band seperating white underparts from white throat and chin. Tail is notched. Brown legs, feet. The smallest North American swallow. Swift, erratic flight, alternating several shallow, rapid wing beats with short to long glides.

● Song: "pret", "trit-trit"

● Foraging & Feeding: Bank Swallow: Feeds mostly on flying insects such as termites, treehoppers, leafhoppers, beetles, moths, and flies that it captures on the wing. Occasionally preys upon spiders or ants if there is a scarcity of aerial prey; forages singly or in flocks.

● Breeding & nesting: Bank Swallow: Three to seven white eggs are laid in a grass and feather nest in a chamber at the end of a deep tunnel, usually near the top of a steep bank. Nests in colonies; nesting banks may sometimes appear riddled with holes. Incubation ranges from 14 to 16 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Bank Swallow: Northern Rough-winged and immature Tree swallows are generally larger and lack dark breast band.

Flight Pattern

Swift erratic fluttering flight on shallow wing beats.
Bank Swallow Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Bank Swallow: Breed from Alaska across northern Canada south to California, Texas, and Virginia. Spends winters in the tropics and the Old World. Preferred habitats include riverbanks, creeks, seashores, and lakes.
BreedingMonogamous, Colonial
PopulationWidespread
MigrationMigratory
Weight0.5 Ounces