The Sand Martin

Sand Martin

The Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) is a migratory bird that breeds across much of the northern hemisphere, in Europe, parts of northern Asia and North America. It has its winter quarters in the warmer tropical regions in the Southern Hemisphere in southern Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.

The Sand Martin is sociable in its nesting habits; from a dozen to many hundred pairs will nest close together, according to available space. The nests are at the end of tunnels of from a few inches to three or four feet in length, bored in sand or gravel.

The Sand Martins captures all their food in flight and feed on small flying insects whose early stages are aquatic, but in winter quarters they also capture termites.

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