Riparia riparia
A colony of Bank Swallows is in a constant flurry of activity as the parents bring mouthfuls of insects to their insatiable young. All that activity attracts predators, but few are able to catch these swift-flying birds. Skunks and badgers are known to dig into the colony from above to get to the vulnerable nestlings. In medieval Europe, it was thought that swallows spent winter in the mud at the bottom of swamps, since they were not seen during that season. Riparia is from the Latin for 'riverbank,' which is a common nesting site for this bird. If you approach a colony by canoe, the birds will burst from their burrows in the hundreds and circle nervously until the river carries you away. In Europe, the Bank Swallow is known as the Sand Martin. |
I.D.: Sexes similar: brown upperparts; light underparts; brown breast band; long, pointed wings; shallowly forked tail; white throat; dark cheek; small legs. Size: L 51/4 in. (13 cm). Range: locally common migrant and uncommon breeder in most of the Rockies. Habitat: steep banks, lakeshores and open areas up to the lower subalpine. Nesting: colonial; in a burrow in a steep earthen bank; pair excavates the cavity and incubates 4-5 white eggs for up to 16 days. Feeding: catches flying insects; drinks on the wing. Voice: twittering chatter: speed-zeet speed-zeet. Similar Species: Northern Rough-winged Swallow: lacks the dark breast band. Violet-green Swallow: green upperparts; white cheek and rump patches; lacks the dark breast band. Tree Swallow: lacks the dark breast band; greenish upperparts. |