Bird Description

Fairly common and widespread but rarely in large numbers. Often near water, nesting in holes in quarries, river banks, cliffs, and man-made structures. Long glides between pronounced deep wing flaps (slow on down-stroke), make it look jerky but buoyant. Dark underwing adds to distinctive flight appearance. Calls frequently - a buzzy insect-like 'prrtt.' ID: Fairly large and compact swallow with very broad-based wings. Uniformly dark brown above, lacking paler rump of BANS. Brown throat and upper breast extending onto underwing. Never shows clear-cut breast band like BANS. Juv: warmer brown upperparts with broad rufous fringes to wing feathers.