Banded Martin
Riparia cincta
Inland waters. Large martin; above dark brown; below white with wide brown chest-band; small white eyebrow, square tail.
Martins
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Uncommon to locally common summer resident. Occurs all year in northern Botswana and KwaZulu-Natal coastal plains. A large, heavy-set martin differing from Sand Martin in broad breast-band, white underwing coverts, white eyebrow and square tail. Utters a melodious twittering while perched or flying. Small flocks or pairs forage over grassland, breeding in river banks and termite mounds. The flight is slow and leisurely, the birds alighting frequently on a branch or fence to rest.
Quick Facts
Size
17 cm - S
Names
A: Gebande Oewerswael
Z: inhlolamvulebhandensundu
Ss: Lekabelane-Kodutshweu
G: Bindenschwalbe, Weißbrauenschwalbe, Gebänderte Uferschwalbe
Bird Family
The name martin is loosely applied to certain close relatives of swallows, particularly species of the genus *Riparia* and their allies. Generally, with the exception of the House Martin, martins have brown plumage and square tails, and while some martins build typical swallow-type mud nests, most breed in holes in cliffs or banks.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs all year in northern Botswana and KwaZulu-Natal coastal plains. Small 'flocks' or pairs forage over 'grassland', breeding in river banks and termite mounds.
