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Tree Martin

Petrochelidon nigricans

Description:

The Tree Martin is a small, swallow-like bird. The adult has a reddish-brown lower forehead, which becomes paler with wear. Its upper forehead, the crown of its head and the back of its neck are a glossy blue-black, though the gloss is lost with wear. It has a black patch in front of its eyes. Its upper back and shoulders are also blue-black. Its rump area is grey, grading towards the rear to brownish grey with reddish grey or buff edges, constituting a contrasting rump-patch . The upper tail is grey-black. Most of the upper wing appears blackish. The bird is paler underneath - sides of breast smoky grey, rest of breast, flanks and thighs dull reddish-brown, buff or cream.These colours grade into almost whiite towards the birds underside rear. Juvenile birds are similar but paler and brown where adults are glossy blue-black.

Habitat:

Open Woodland

Notes:

Feeding: Tree Martins eat insects, including ants, beetles, bugs, flies and wasps. They hunt by observing from a perch and sallying forth to catch prey on the wing. They do this at canopy height or higher, or low over open countryside. However they do occasionally pick food off the ground and other surfaces. Breeding: Tree Martin's nests can be either isolated or in colonies. In cases where the birds do not migrate, they will often visit the nest-site throughout the year. The nest is mostly in a hole in a tree branch, usually horizontal, which is often up high. Occasionally the nest is in holes or cracks in tree trunks or in cliffs, banks or even buildings. Nests are mostly in eucalypts, though other trees are used. Tree Martins sometimes lay their eggs straight onto the rotten wood in the nesting hollow or onto a bed of leaves, sometimes with dry grass, straw or feathers or other suitable materials. Some may build mud nests. Mud is also sometimes used around the hole at the entrance to a nest to reduce its size. Nesting materials are collected by both birds in a pair. When mud is used it has been observed to be obtained from the water's edge.

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4 Comments

MacChristiansen
MacChristiansen 7 years ago

Thanks Neil, armadeus.4 & DrNamgyalT.Sherpa

DrNamgyalT.Sherpa
DrNamgyalT.Sherpa 7 years ago

Great work - both picture and text!

Neil Ross
Neil Ross 7 years ago

Gorgeous. Great photo and info, Mac.

armadeus.4
armadeus.4 7 years ago

Great shot Mac!!!

MacChristiansen
Spotted by
MacChristiansen

QLD, Australia

Spotted on Oct 1, 2016
Submitted on Oct 11, 2016

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