Sand Martin Bird Facts (Riparia riparia)

Visual Identification

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

The Sand Martin is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Sand Martin is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Sand Martin can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Sand Martin can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Sand Martin is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Sand Martin is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Sand Martin can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Sand Martin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Sand Martin is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Sand Martin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Sand Martin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Sand Martin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Sand Martin. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Bulgaria Canada Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Iran Iraq Italy Lebanon Oman Russia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Ukraine United Arab Emirates Yemen

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina China Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Egypt Estonia Georgia Hong Kong Hungary India Ireland Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Mexico Moldova Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Nepal Netherlands North Korea Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Tajikistan The United Kingdom Turkey Turkmenistan United States of America Uzbekistan

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Angola Argentina Belize Benin Bolivia Botswana Brazil British Virgin Islands Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Chile Colombia Congo Costa Rica Côte D'Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Ecuador Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia French Guiana Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Kenya Laos Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Mauritania Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Niger Nigeria Paraguay Peru Philippines Rwanda Senegal Sierra Leone Singapore Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Suriname Tanzania Thailand Togo Tunisia Uganda Uruguay US Virgin Islands Venezuela Vietnam Western Sahara Zambia Zimbabwe

Species that pass through the area during migration

Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Bermuda Bhutan Cayman Islands Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador Guadeloupe Guatemala Haiti Honduras Israel Jamaica Jordan Kuwait Martinique Montserrat Nicaragua Palestine Panama Puerto Rico Qatar Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saudi Arabia Syria The Bahamas Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Brunei Comoros Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Indonesia Lesotho Maldives Seychelles Sri Lanka

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 95

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Sand Martin displays remarkable agility, being an expert aerial insectivore. Its ability to perform swift, acrobatic manoeuvres whilst catching insects on the wing demonstrates exceptional flight skills and manoeuvrability.

Strength 30

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly strong for their size, Sand Martins possess enough strength to excavate nesting burrows in sandy banks. However, their small size and lightweight build limit their overall strength compared to many other bird species.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Sand Martins show high adaptability, capable of nesting in various habitats from natural riverbanks to artificial walls. Their ability to migrate long distances and adjust to different environments across their breeding and wintering ranges further demonstrates their adaptability.

Aggressiveness 25

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Generally non-aggressive, Sand Martins are social birds that nest in colonies. They may defend their nesting burrows but are not known for aggressive behaviour towards other species or amongst themselves, preferring to avoid conflict.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Sand Martins exhibit impressive endurance, undertaking long-distance migrations between Europe and Africa. Their ability to fly continuously for extended periods, catching insects on the wing, and their capacity to dig lengthy nesting burrows, all indicate considerable stamina.

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.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

29,000,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

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:

Hirundinidae

Average Lifespan

2 years

Max Lifespan

10.1 years ^[4]

Predators

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.

References

1
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Riparia riparia (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T103815961A155536007.
View source
3
report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven
2
website, 2022: Partners in Flight
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4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
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