Sand Martin Vs Swift: Key Differences Explained

Sand Martins and Swifts are both small, agile birds which are regularly seen flying around bodies of water or in open skies. From a distance it can be difficult to distinguish between these two separate bird species.

On closer inspection however, there are enough differences to help tell these birds apart. In this article we’ll take a closer look at the Sand Martin and the Swift and point out the main differences enabling you to make a positive identification between these two summer migrants.

To find out more, keep reading.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Sand Martins are likely to be seen on a perch
Swifts spend almost their entire time in the air
Sand Martins have a more compact body with short pointed wings
Swifts are more streamlined with long sickle shaped wings
Swifts are a sooty brown almost black colour with a white patch on their throats
Sand Martins have dark brown upperparts and pale underparts and a dark chest stripe
Sand Martins nest in burrows along river banks, lakesides and other bodies of water
Swifts nest in cavities in rock faces, cliffs, holes in trees and under the eaves of buildings

What Is The Difference Between A Sand Martin And A Swift?

At first glance, it can be extremely difficult to distinguish between a Sand Martin and a Swift especially if they are some distance away. Having said that, there are enough differences to make identification easy if you know what to look for.

Let’s look at these differences in more detail;

Visual Differences

Sand Martins have a more compact body with short, pointed wings and a short, forked tail. They have dark brown upperparts and underwings and pale underparts and a dark chest stripe.

Swifts are more streamlined with long, sickle shaped wings and a deeply forked tail. They are a sooty brown colour which looks black against the sky when seen flying. They also have a white patch on their throats which greatly contrasts with their dark plumage.

In flight, Sand Martins fly fast and direct with quick fluttery wingbeats. They can often be seen flying low over water or fields.

Swifts fly incredibly fast (hence the name) with a scything flight style. Swifts spend most of their lives in the air, they feed, breed and even sleep whilst flying.

Sand Martins are members of the same family as Swallows (Hirundinidae) whereas Swifts are members of the same family as hummingbirds (Apodidae).

If the bird you’re observing is perched, it is most likely to be a Sand Martin. This is because Swifts spend almost all of their time on the wing.

Differences In Habitat

Sand Martins are often seen near rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. They catch their food which is mainly flying insects as they fly through the air.

Swifts are regularly spotted flying over urban areas, cliffs and open countryside. Swifts also catch their food which is also flying insects when flying through the air. Although they will also catch spiders on their silk like threads.

Nests & Eggs

Sand Martins dig into the sandy banks to build their nests. They burrow into the soft substrate and can make tunnels of up to 3 metres or more. At the end of the burrow they create a chamber large enough to build a nest which is lined with plant materials and feathers.

Sand Martins lay around 4 to 5 eggs in late May or early June. The eggs are smooth, non-glossy and white and are around 18 x 13 mm in size. They take around 14 to 15 days to hatch and a further 19 to 21 days for the chicks to fledge the nest.

Swifts traditionally built their nests in cavities in cliffs, caves, rock faces and holes in trees. Nowadays they have adapted and mainly build their nests in buildings in places like under the eaves of houses and church towers. These nesting sites are always positioned out of direct sunlight and always high up in the building for safety.

They create the nest out of plant materials and feathers that they gather as they fly which are bound together using saliva. Swifts lay a clutch of around 2 to 3 matt white eggs which are around 25 x 16 mm in size. The incubation period lasts around 19 to 25 days and the chicks fledge the nest around 5 to 8 weeks after hatching.

These two bird species have a different life expectancy as well. The typical lifespan of a Sand Martin is around 2 to 5 years. Whereas Swifts can live as long as 21 years in some cases. However their average lifespan is around 5.5 years.

Bird Calls

The song of the Sand Martin is a continuous twitter which is especially audible when the birds are in flight. Once they settle, the sound changes to a more conversational undertone. They can also make a harsh alarm call as a group when threatened by predators.

The call of the Swift is more a series of high-pitched screams and chirps and can often be heard when Swifts are flying in large groups.

Size & Weight

Sand Martins are the smaller of these two species with an average length of around 12 cm and a wingspan of around 26 to 29 cm. While Swifts are around 16 to 17 cm in length with an average wingspan of around 42 to 48 cm.

Swifts are the heavier of the two species with an average weight of around 36 to 50 grams. While the average weight of the Sand Martin is around 13 to 14 grams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do swifts land on the ground?

It is extremely rare to see a swift on the ground. Swifts spend most of their lives in the air. They feed, breed and sleep whilst flying and only stop flying long enough to raise their young.

Do swifts mate for life?

Yes, swifts tend to mate for life and return to the same breeding site year after year to raise their brood.

Are sand martins rare?

No, sand martins are not rare. They are a commonly seen bird all across the UK. However, they are summer migrants so they disappear every autumn only to return the following spring.