Fairly common but local near nest sites. Always excavates hollows in river banks, quarries, and other sandy areas. Feeds over nearby water. A light and buoyant flyer, it mixes with other larger swallows on migration. Easily the smallest swallow, emphasized by very slim build from head to tail. Wing bases particularly narrow with wings swept back. In all plumages narrow but well-defined breast band, emphasized by white throat. Upperparts medium pale brown, noticeably grayer and paler on the rump. Other swallows do not show this contrast. Juv: similar to adult with pale-fringed wing feathers.