Sand Martin
SAND MARTIN
Riparia riparia
Family Hirundinidae
L 178mm (4 1/2")
migrant, rare
Bird # 397 - February 2013
We first saw this bird together with some Barn Swallows. They have the same behavior and also look similar. They were constantly flying back and forth at high speed catching insects. The Sand Martin has a brown back, brown breast band and white throat. The Barn Swallow has a dark throat and blue-black back.
We saw this bird for the second time in Davao. Davao-based WBCP member Pete SImpson pointed out the Sand Martin flying among the Barn Swallows. After observing them for some time, we noticed that aside from looking brown, the Sand Martin flies differently from the Barn Swallow. There were two Sand Martins. They flap their wings for rapidly than the Barn Swallow.
Read MoreRiparia riparia
Family Hirundinidae
L 178mm (4 1/2")
migrant, rare
Bird # 397 - February 2013
We first saw this bird together with some Barn Swallows. They have the same behavior and also look similar. They were constantly flying back and forth at high speed catching insects. The Sand Martin has a brown back, brown breast band and white throat. The Barn Swallow has a dark throat and blue-black back.
We saw this bird for the second time in Davao. Davao-based WBCP member Pete SImpson pointed out the Sand Martin flying among the Barn Swallows. After observing them for some time, we noticed that aside from looking brown, the Sand Martin flies differently from the Barn Swallow. There were two Sand Martins. They flap their wings for rapidly than the Barn Swallow.
SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Malalag, Davao del Sur, Philippines
