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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Riparia riparia
Sand martin. Greek: βαλτοχελίδονο. Gadouras River, September 2022.
Breeding migrant, fairly common in south of island. March to September. Length 12-14 cm, wingspan 25-30 cm. Sexes similar. Brown above, pale below with broad pale chest band. Diverse open habitats, often flies with other swallow species. Breeds colonially, builds nest by tunneling into sand banks. Feeds on insects caught on the wing. Fast, jerky flight. Continuous twittering song.
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