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HABITATS
The sand martin is a small, slim bird with a brown back with pale tips on the feathers. The underparts are white with a brown band on the breast. The wings and forked tail are dark brown with an iridescent green sheen.
On the head, the crown is brown, and the lower face is white. The bill and eyes are dark brown, and the short legs and feet are black. Males and females look alike.
Juvenile sand martins are similar to adults but they are paler overall and the breast band is less obvious.
Sand martins are widespread and common across the UK and Ireland during the spring and summer. Look out for them near water, around rivers, lakes, and quarries, and on sandy cliffs.
In breeding season, it can be seen digging burrows for its nest.
SPOTTING TIPS
The sand martin is a member of the swallow family but can be distinguished from the barn swallow and the house martin by its brown and white colouring.
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