Banded Martin

Afrikaans name: Gebande Oewerswael

Banded Martin

Photo © Steven Herbert

Riparia cincta

The Banded Martin has a rather scattered distribution across South Africa but it is most common on the Highveld in grassland habitat. Martins and Swallows are closely related birds and share many of the same characteristics.

These birds tend to fly fairly close to the ground which is where they hunt for flying insects which form the main part of their diet. They can sometimes be seen flying near large mammals such as Burchell's Zebra that tend to flush out insects as they move along.

Banded Martins are not resident in South Africa all year round. During winter they migrate further up Africa and return in spring to breed. They make a tunnel in bank for their nest. Between 2 and 4 eggs are laid and are tended to by both parents.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 138

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 32

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 210

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 123

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 300

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 462

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 286

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 468

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 359

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 348

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 411

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 236

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 236

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 210

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 146

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 33

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 53

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 176

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 154

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 85

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 191

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 118

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 68

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 83

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 83

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 207

---

Top

List of South African Birds