Sand martins are the smallest European hirundines (martins and swallows), with dark brown upper parts and dark under wings contrasting with otherwise pale under parts divided by a distinctive dark chest bar. Agile fliers, feeding mainly over water, they will perch on overhead wires or branches. They are gregarious in the breeding season and winter. Over the past 50 years the European population has crashed on two occasions as a result of drought in the birds' African wintering grounds.
Key ID Features:
The smallest of the Uk's summer visiting Hirundines, the Sand Martin is generally brown with white underparts and matching throat separated by a brown collar and breast bar.
Easily separated from House Martin by lack of distinctive white rump.
Often seen feeding with Swallows and House Martins over water.
It nests communally in holes in sandy or soft muddy banks.
Overview
Scientific name: Riparia riparia
Family: Swallows and martins (Hirundinidae)
Where to see them:
Found along rivers and other water bodies throughout the UK. Also found around man-made gravel pits where artificial nesting banks are sometimes provided.
Seen in UK:
March to October.
What they eat
Invertebrates, taken on the wing..
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
