Similar Species
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Adult
Northern Rough-winged Swallows have a dingy throat and breast and lack the Bank Swallow's dark breast band.
© Luke Seitz | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 25, 2013Similar Species
Tree Swallow
Juvenile
Juvenile Tree Swallows are brown above like Bank Swallows and have a dingy wash across the breast, but the band is not nearly as strong as it is on Bank Swallows.
© Andrew Aldrich | Macaulay LibraryMaine, August 04, 2017Similar Species
Violet-green Swallow
Adult male
Violet-green Swallows have white patches on the sides of their rump that Bank Swallows lack. Violet-greens are clean white underneath, lacking the Bank's dark breast band.
© Jason B Bidgood | Macaulay LibraryColorado, April 30, 2016Similar Species
Cliff Swallow
Adult
Cliff Swallows have a cream colored rump and collar, whereas Bank Swallows are entirely brown above.
© Dorian Anderson | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 02, 2017Main Species
Bank Swallow
Adult
Small songbird with a small head and tiny bill. Adults are brown above with a brown breast band and a white swoosh on the neck.
© David M. Bell | Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 12, 2013Adult
In flight, note pale belly and darker wings with a brown band across the chest.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 22, 2017Adult
Nests in burrows excavated using its feet and bill, placed along banks and bluffs of rivers and streams, as well as gravel quarries and roadcuts.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, June 01, 1999Adult
Sleek brown songbird with a long slightly notched tail. Flies with quick, fluttery wingbeats.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 22, 2016Adult
Adults are brown above with a white throat that wraps up around the side of the neck. Note slightly forked tail.
© Niall D Perrins | Macaulay LibraryGauteng, December 27, 2016Adult
Brown above and white below with a brown band across its chest.
© Ian Hearn | Macaulay LibraryIdaho, June 26, 2017Adult (with Barn Swallow)
Smaller than a Barn Swallow with a dark band across its chest.
© David Disher | Macaulay LibraryNorth Carolina, May 19, 2016Habitat
Nests in burrows; forages for insects fairly low over fields, water, and other open areas.
© Oliver Burton | Macaulay LibraryBretagne, July 30, 2017