| Tree martin | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Hirundinidae |
| Genus: | Petrochelidon |
| Species: | P. nigricans |
| Binomial name | |
| Petrochelidon nigricans (Vieillot, 1817) | |
Thetree martin (Petrochelidon nigricans) is a member of theswallow family ofpasserinebirds. It breeds inAustralia, mostly south oflatitude 20°S and onTimor island. It ismigratory, wintering through most of Australia,New Guinea,Indonesia east of theWallace Line and theSolomon Islands. It is a vagrant toNew Zealand, where it has bred, andNew Caledonia. This species is frequently placed in the genusHirundo asHirundo nigricans.
This is a bird of open woodland, preferably with large trees to provide nest holes. It is increasingly common in urban and suburban areas.
The tree martin wasformally described in 1817 by the French ornithologistLouis Vieillot under thebinomial nameHirundo nigricans.[2] The specific epithet isLatin meaning "blackish".[3] Vieillot gave thetype locality as "Nouvelle-Hollande" (New South Wales) but this has been corrected toHobart, Tasmania.[4][5] The tree martin is now one of ten swallows placed in the genusPetrochelidon that was introduced in 1851 by the German ornithologistJean Cabanis.[6]
Threesubspecies are recognised:[6][7]
The tree martin averages 13 cm (5.1 in) in length and has a shallowly forked tail. The adult has an iridescent blue back and crown, brown wings and tail, arufous forehead and a whitish rump. The underparts are white. The sexes are similar, but young birds are duller and browner, with a paler forehead and pale fringes to the back and wing feathers.[7]
The call of this vocal swallow is atsweet and the song is a high-pitched twitter.
This species can be distinguished from other Australian swallows by its tail shape and pale rump. The most similar species, thefairy martin, has a rufous head and nape.[7]
Tree martins breed, depending on region, from July through to January, either in pairs or semi-colonially depending on nest site availability. Nests are constructed in natural holes in dead trees or rock crevices, but increasingly in artificial sites on bridges and buildings. This is most common in western Australia, where breeding occurs even in large cities likeAdelaide andPerth. Tree martins also occasionally reline the nests ofwelcome swallows, and may displace the owners to obtain the nest.
The nest, unusually for a cliff swallow, is often made just from grass and leaves, but may be reinforced with mud. A mud and plant fibre cement is also used to reduce the width of the entrance to the breeding hole. The clutch is 3–5, usually four, brown and mauve-spotted white eggs, and this species is often double-brooded.
Tree martins have a fast twisting flight and feed higher than welcome swallows, often more than 6 m above the ground. They are frequently seen above the canopy of tall eucalyptus trees catching aerialinsects, but will also feed on insect swarms low over water. This species can be highly gregarious when not breeding, and will form mixed flocks with fairy martins.
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