Banded Martin

Riparia cincta

Other Names

    Hirondelle à collier   Weißbrauen-Uferschwalbe   Avión Zapador Cejiblanco   Större backsvala   Witbrauwzwaluw   Topino dai sopraccigli bianchi

World: Afrotropical - widespread S of Ghana and Ethiopia except in arid, desert regions.

Kenya: Distribution in Kenya represents the most easterly point of this species range. Found in lightly bushed grassland to the West and South of the country with a few isolated records from Lake Turkana and the coast (Sabaki). Although not closely associated with water it is nevertheless absent from the arid regions of the country.

A large swallow with distinctive white face markings and a broad brown breast band. Some individuals, like the one pictured above, also have a mid-ventral line which extends down to the belly. They are cavity nesters who make use of sand banks. Banded Martins occur either singly or in small groups foraging low over the grassland. Their flight is altogether slower and more leisurely than other swallows.