Scientific Name: Riparia riparia
Malay Name: Layang-layang Perang Belang Biasa
Chinese Name: 崖沙燕
Alternative Name: Common Sand Martin
Range:
Found throughout the Holarctic (which encompasses majority of habitats found throughout the northern continents of the world) and winters to South America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, southern China and Southeast Asia
Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: riparia, taczanowskii, ijimae, shelleyi
Local Subspecies: ijimae
Size: 11.5-13 cm
Identification: Adult resembles Barn Swallow and Asian House Martin but has all brown upperparts, contrasting whitish underparts with broad brown breast-band and shallow forked tail. Juvenile resembles adult but has less distinct breast-band.
Similar looking species: Barn Swallow, Asian House Martin
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, reservoirs and coastal areas.
Ecology/Behaviour:
Local Status: Rare migrant
Conservation Status: Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Location: Recent sightings were at Seletar Mudflat, Lorong Halus (Sungei Serangoon) and Central Catchment Forest (MacRitchie Reservoir).
Photos:
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
Reference:
Craig Robson (2011) A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia
Allen Jeyarajasingam & Alan Pearson (2012) A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore
