# Bank Swallow (*Riparia riparia*) The Bank Swallow is a small bird that loves to dig tunnels in sandy banks. They are great fliers and can be seen swooping over water to catch tiny insects. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas, wetlands ![Bank Swallow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Riparia_riparia.jpg&width=800) Photo: Axel Strauß, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Riparia_riparia.jpg) ## Appearance The Bank Swallow has dull brown upperparts and white underparts, distinctly separated by a single narrow brown band across its breast. Its tail is slightly forked, and it possesses a small bill. This brown breast band makes it visually unique among North American swallows. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Hirundinidae - **Genus:** Riparia ## Interesting facts - Baby swallows are ready to fly and leave the nest in only 3 weeks! - Bank Swallows can raise two families of chicks in just one summer! - These tiny birds dig long tunnels, sometimes three feet deep, to make their nests! - They are the smallest swallow species found in Europe and North America! ## Special abilities - **Burrow Architect:** Bank Swallows can dig intricate tunnels in sandy banks because of their strong claws and beaks, which provides safe nest sites. - **Aerial Hunter:** Bank Swallows has incredible aerial agility that helps them snatch tiny flying insects mid-air with impressive precision. - **Social Nester:** Bank Swallows can live in large colonies, sometimes numbering thousands, which helps them detect predators and share information. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-14 cm - **Wingspan:** 28-33 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-8 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-5 - **Incubation:** 14-16 days - **Migration Distance:** 8000 km ## Diet & Feeding They are expert insect hunters, catching flying bugs like mosquitoes and flies right out of the air! - **Primary Foods:** Mosquitoes, Midges, Flies, Beetles, Ants - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — Hunts adult swallows during migration and breeding season. - **Eaten by:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Preys on eggs and chicks within nesting tunnels. - **Hunts:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — Feeds on adult mosquitoes, helping control their populations. - **Hunts:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Catches larger flying insects like bees for food. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Watch these birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bank Swallow? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Bank Swallow? 12-14 cm ### What is Bank Swallow's wingspan? 28-33 cm ### How much does Bank Swallow weigh? 0.01-0.02 kg ### How long does Bank Swallow live? 1-8 years ### How fast can Bank Swallow move? 45 km/h ### What does Bank Swallow eat? They are expert insect hunters, catching flying bugs like mosquitoes and flies right out of the air! ### Where is Bank Swallow usually found? Coastal areas, wetlands ## Where to spot - [Coindre Hall Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coindre-hall-park) — New York, US · Park - [South Newbury Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-newbury-village-historic-district) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Grand Coulee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-coulee) — Washington, US · Natural Landmark - [New Milford Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/new-milford-center-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Naturpark Insel Usedom](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/usedom-island-nature-park) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Park - [Naturpark Niederlausitzer Landrücken](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/niederlausitzer-landruecken-nature-park) — Brandenburg, DE · Park [View all places to see Bank Swallow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bank-swallow) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Bank Swallow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bank-swallow)