Atticora fasciata
The White-banded Swallow (*Atticora fasciata*) is a striking and agile aerial insectivore, instantly recognizable by its glossy blue-black plumage contrasted sharply with a pristine white belly and, most notably, a broad white band across its chest. This medium-sized swallow measures approximately 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 inches) in length, with a wingspan around 28-30 cm (11-12 inches) and weighing about 12-16 grams (0.4-0.6 oz). Its deeply forked tail, typical of many swallows, aids in its acrobat...
Primarily found along major rivers and large streams, its preferred habitats include lowland riparian zones, river islands, sandbanks, and occasionally forest clearings adjacent to water bodies at elevations typically below 500 meters.
Exclusively insectivorous, their diet consists almost entirely of small flying insects, including flies, beetles, ants, and termites, caught mid-air over water sources.
White-banded Swallows are highly social and diurnal birds, often seen in small to large flocks, especially outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other swallow species. They are expert aerial foragers, constantly on the wing, catching insects directly from the air over rivers, streams...
The White-banded Swallow is a widespread resident species found throughout much of tropical South America, primarily within the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. Its extensive breeding range stretches from eastern Colombia and southern Venezuela, through Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, south ...
Least Concern
- The White-banded Swallow is easily identified by the broad, pure white band across its chest, a feature uncommon among other dark-bodied swallows. - They are expert engineers, digging their own nest burrows into soft earthen riverbanks and cliffs, often creating large, bustling colonies. - Thei...