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Sand MartinAlternate name(s): "Common Sand Martin", "European Sand Martin", "Collared Sand Martin" (Indian subcontinent), "Bank Swallow" (North America) ![]() Size: 12-13 cm; wing span: 26.5-29 cm Weight: 10-19 g |
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See Sand
Martin at Wikipedia |
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Photos |
Race "riparia"
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ADULT |
Sex unknown |
Near-frontal view of an adult Sand Martin
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2019]
Near-frontal view of two Sand Martins, left and right, with a juvenile
Barn Swallow
(photo courtesy of G. Normand)
[Parc du Sausset, 20 km North of Paris, France, July 2020]
Lateral view of a Sand Martin
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
Lateral view of a Sand Martin
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, February 2019]
Lateral view of a Sand Martin
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2019]
Sand Martins on a ledge of a steep sandy bank
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
Sand Martins on a ledge of a steep sandy bank
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
Near-frontal/ventral view of a Sand Martin in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, March 2019]
Lateral view of a Sand Martin in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]
Near-dorsal view of a Sand Martin in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]
Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Sand Martin in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]
Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Sand Martin in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2020]
Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Sand Martin in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2020]
Dorsal/ventral view of a Sand Martin in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]
Overview of Sand Martins in flight near a steep sandy bank
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
Overview of Sand Martins in flight near a steep sandy bank
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
Sand Martins in flight near a steep sandy bank
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
Sand Martins exploring a steep sandy bank for its suitability
for nesting (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, May 2017]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Lateral view of juvenile Sand Martins - note the pale edge
lining on the feathers
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, July 2019]
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: May - Aug | Eggs: 4 - 6 | Incubation period: 14 - 15 days | Fledging age: ca. 22 days |
Except in the northern-most parts of their breeding range, Sand Martins usually have two broods per season.
Nest building: Female & male | Incubation: Female & male | Dependent care: Female & male |
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Nest |
Type: Tunnel | Material: Sand; straw, feather lining | Height above ground: N/A |
Sand Martins are the only Eurasian swallows or martins to use a tunnel for nesting. They can sometimes be found nesting in close proximity to several other tunnel-nesting species, such as European Bee-eaters.
Tunnels can be very shallow, more like a recess or a ledge, while others are up to 1 m long. Note the wide entrances which offer little protection against predators (while other species cut the opening to their tunnels as narrow as possible).
Frontal view of a Sand Martin at the entrance to its nest tunnel,
(photo courtesy of G. Normand)
[Near Vannes, Bretagne, France, August 2020]
Adult Sand Martin at the entrance to its "avant garde" nest tunnel,
with a near-fledging age chick looking out
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Near Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2017]
"Time to fly, children!" - Sand Martin fledging day
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Near Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2017]
Change of the guard at a Sand Martin nest
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Near Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]
Near-dorsal view of a Sand Martin at the entrance to its nest
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Near Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]
Sand Martin removing a piece of egg shell from its nest tunnel
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Near Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2015]
Overview of a small sand bank with Sand Martin nest tunnels just
under the grassy edge; this site, where bird had been observed
starting to dig tunnels in May, was already abandoned again in
late July, after one breeding cycle
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, July 2017]
Sand bank with Sand Martin nest tunnels (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, July 2017]
Closer view of the entrances to Sand Martin nest tunnels in a sand bank
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[River Bug, near Brok, Masovia, Poland, July 2017]
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Eggs |
Size: 17 x 12 mm | Colour: White | Shape: Tapered oval |
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Behaviour |
Social behaviour: Communal | Mobility: Migratory | Elementary unit: Flock |
Upon arrival in their summer quarters, Sand Martins have the habit of first staying in areas where they can find early insects, usually around April, before moving on to their breeding grounds.
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Food, Diet |
Adults: Small insects | Dependents: As adults | Water intake: Daily(?) |
Like all other swallows known to us, Sand Martins are insect hunters. They feed in-flight on small insects.
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
sandmrt_jp_20200625.m4a |
riparia (Portugal) |
Contact calls | © JP | |
sandmrt_dw_20200621.m4a |
riparia (Poland) |
Warning calls (+ Common Cuckoo) |
© DW |
More Sand Martin sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.