Sand Martin
Least ConcernRiparia riparia
Visual Identification
Sand Martin
Appearance
The Sand Martin is a small, slender swallow with distinctive brown upperparts and white underparts. Its most notable feature is a brown breast band contrasting with the white throat and belly.
The wings are long and pointed, typical of swallows, with darker flight feathers. Their short legs are greyish, and they have large black eyes and a short, straight black bill.
Juveniles resemble adults but have buff-tipped wing coverts and a less defined breast band. There is little seasonal variation in plumage, and males and females are virtually indistinguishable in the field.
Size
Length
12cm to 14cm
Wingspan
26cm to 29cm
Weight
10g to 18g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Grey
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Brown
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Sand Martins inhabit open country near water, including riverbanks, lakeshores, and coastal cliffs. They require vertical sandy banks or cliffs for nesting. Their breeding range spans across Europe, Asia, and North America.
In winter, they migrate to warmer regions in Africa, southern Asia, and South America. In the UK, they are summer visitors, arriving in April and departing by October, with some passing through during migration.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Sand Martins primarily feed on flying insects, including flies, aphids, and small beetles. They catch their prey in flight, often foraging over water bodies where insects are abundant. During the breeding season, they may also take larger insects to feed their young.
Behaviour
Sand Martins are highly social birds, often seen in large flocks during migration and breeding seasons. They are agile flyers, skimming low over water to catch insects on the wing.
During breeding, they form colonies, sometimes numbering thousands of pairs, excavating burrows in sandy banks for nesting.
Vocalisation
The Sand Martin's call is a soft, buzzing 'brrrrt' or 'prrrt', often given in flight. During the breeding season, males produce a quiet, warbling song near the nest site.
Their calls are less musical and more rasping compared to other swallows, helping in identification.
Nesting & Breeding
Sand Martins typically breed from May to August. They form monogamous pairs for the breeding season, often returning to the same colony site year after year.
Nests are built at the end of tunnels excavated in sandy banks, usually 60-90 cm deep. Both sexes participate in digging. The nest chamber is lined with grass, feathers, and other soft materials.
Females lay 4-5 white eggs, which are incubated for about 14-16 days. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 18-22 days but return to the nest for several more days.
Lifespan
The Sand Martin typically lives for 2 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 10.1 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While globally listed as Least Concern, Sand Martin populations face localised threats. Habitat loss due to river management and sand extraction impacts breeding sites. Climate change affects their insect prey availability.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting banks and creating artificial nesting walls in suitable habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Sand Martins near rivers, lakes, and coastal areas with sandy banks
- Observe their distinctive flight pattern: quick, with rapid wing beats and short glides
- Listen for their soft, rippling calls as they fly overhead
- Visit known breeding colonies in spring and summer for the best viewing opportunities
- In the UK, check coastal areas and inland waterways during spring and autumn migrations
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Bank Swallow, Collared Sand Martin
Family:
HirundinidaePredators
Main predators include birds of prey such as Sparrowhawks and Hobbies, as well as snakes and small mammals that can access their nesting burrows.
Did You Know?
- Sand Martins can dig their nesting burrows at a rate of about 7 cm per day.
- They are one of the earliest swallow species to return to Europe in spring.
- A single Sand Martin can catch up to 1,000 insects in a day.
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References
- 2
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Riparia riparia (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T103815961A155536007.
View source - 4
report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven
- 3
website, 2022: Partners in Flight
View source - 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source