Small swallow with long wings and a short, shallowly forked tail. Warm earthy brown above, with a buffy-brown chest and lighter brown rump. White belly. Dark legs and small, black bill. Juveniles have rich, buffy-brown wing bars. Juvenile Tree Swallows are darker and more dusky above, with a dusky partial band across the chest and a white throat. Bank Swallow is smaller, darker brown overall, and has a clean white throat and crisp brown breast band.

Length: 14 (cm) Wingspan: 29 (cm)

Voice:

Often repeats a short, single-pitched, rattling brreet.

Habitat:

Found in open areas with grass, sand or gravel, usually near water. Nests in burrows in sandy banks or occasionally other hollows.

Behavior:

Swoops low over the ground or water with relatively slow wing beats and short glides. Usually solitary; may nest in colonies of a few pairs. Flight style is more buoyant erratic than most other swallows.

Feeding:

Feeds on flying insects.