Bank swallow Riparia riparia

Identification Tips:

• 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.