Diet
What do bank swallows eat?
Flying insects over rivers and lakes.
Swallows (Hirundinidae)Bank SwallowRiparia riparia
Spring and summer diet
- Flies, mayflies, beetles and winged ants
Fall and winter diet
- Migrates to South America
Best feeder foods
- None — sandy river banks are the habitat
Digs nest burrows in vertical sand banks in big colonies; needs eroding riverbanks or sand pits.
Frequently asked
What do bank swallows eat?
Flying insects over rivers and lakes.
What is the best food to feed bank swallows?
None — sandy river banks are the habitat.
What do bank swallows eat in winter?
Migrates to South America.
Sources
- Bank Swallow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bank Swallow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bank Swallow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.