bank swallow (Riparia riparia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 4.75 inches

• Tiny bill

• smallest swallow

• Dark brown upperparts

• White underparts with dark breast band

• Rump paler than back and tail

• Forked tail

• Most often seen flying

• Nests in cavities near water

Similar species:

The bank swallow is most similar to northern rough-winged and
immature tree swallow. When perched, as mixed flocks of swallows
often do on telephone wires, the bank swallow is obviously smaller
than the other species. In flight, the bank swallow has a dark breast
band from below and a paler rump, contrasting with darker back and
tail, from above.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: N/A
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 4-6
Length of Incubation: 14-16 days
Days to Fledge: 18-24
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Exclusively insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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