Back to Field Guide
Bank Swallow
Riparia riparia
Audubon Illustration
John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.
Migration Flyway
Showing primary migration corridor(s) for this species
Last Spotted Near You
About the Bank Swallow
The sand martin (Riparia riparia), also known as the collared sand martin or common sand martin, and in the Americas as the bank swallow, is a migratory passerine bird in the swallow family Hirundinidae. It has a wide range in summer, embracing practically the whole Holarctic area, from Europe, across Asia to the Pacific Ocean, and throughout North America. It winters in eastern and southern Africa, southern Asia, and South America.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Riparia riparia
- Family
- Swallows
- Order
- Passeriformes
Similar species
Other members of the swallows family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
- Bahama Swallow Tachycineta cyaneoviridis
- Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
- Black-capped Swallow Atticora pileata
- Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
- Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera
- Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva
- Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
- Cuban Martin Progne cryptoleuca
- Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
- Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
- Purple Martin Progne subis
Know when the Bank Swallow turns up near you
How rare bird alerts work →Gear for spotting Bank Swallow
Optics
Best Binoculars for Beginners
You don't need to spend a fortune. These four pairs will get you birding confidently on day one.
8 min readRead guide
Cameras
Cameras for Bird Photography
From phone adapters to dedicated rigs, here's what actually works for capturing birds in the field.
12 min readRead guide