Credit: Larry Bond
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Also known as: Sand Martin, Collared Sand Martin, European Sand Martin
10-15 cm (4-6") Locally common. Widespread across North America. Streams, lakes, rivers.
Brown above, white below with a distinct, clean-cut brown breast band that contrasts with white throat. Similar immature Tree Swallow has a faint breast band and Northern Rough-winged Swallow lacks breast band and has a gray-brown throat.
Shallow rapid wingbeats. Nests in colonies in steep sandy river banks, manmade excavations etc.
Song: buzzy twitter.
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Credit: Carl Barrentine
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Credit: Larry Bond
Distribution Maps
Bank Swallow distribution map