Species BirdsBank Swallow

Bank Swallow

Riparia riparia

CommonBird
Illustration of Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)

The Bank Swallow is the smallest swallow in North America and the only one that excavates its own nesting burrows, digging horizontal tunnels up to two feet deep in sandy riverbanks or road cuts. Colonies can contain hundreds to thousands of burrows. It is the most widely distributed swallow in the world, breeding across the Northern Hemisphere.

Habitat
Sandy river banks, lake shores, road cuts, and gravel pits
Diet
Flying insects, especially midges and flying ants
How common
Common

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