Sand martin

The sand martin is a small, agile bird in the swallow family that zips across skies from the Arctic to the tropics. It nests in sandy riverbanks and cliffs, then migrates huge distances between its summer homes across Europe, Asia, and North America and wintering grounds in Africa and South America.

• Digs cozy nest tunnels in sandy banks or cliffs.
• One of the most widespread swallows, found across three continents.
• Flies all the way to Africa or South America for winter.