Crag Martin

Crag Martin

The crag martins are four species of small passerine birds in the genus Ptyonoprogne of the swallow family. They are the Eurasian Crag Martin (P. rupestris), the Pale Crag Martin (P. obsoleta), the Rock Martin (P. fuligula) and the Dusky Crag Martin (P. concolor). They are closely related to each other, and have formerly sometimes been considered to be one species. They are closely related to the Hirundo barn swallows and are placed in that genus by some authorities. These are small swallows with brown upperparts, paler underparts without a breast band, and a square tail with white patches. They can be distinguished from each other on size, the colour shade of the upperparts and underparts, and minor plumage details like throat colour. They resemble the Sand Martin, but are darker below, and lack a breast band.

These are species of craggy mountainous habitats, although all three will also frequent human habitation. The African Rock Martin and the south Asian Dusky Crag Martin are resident, but the Eurasian Crag Martin is a partial migrant; birds breeding in southern Europe are largely resident, but some northern breeders and most Asian birds are migratory, wintering in north Africa or India. They do not normally form large breeding colonies, but are more gregarious outside the breeding season. These martins build neat mud nests under cliff overhangs or in crevices in their mountain homes, and have readily adapted to the artificial cliffs provided by buildings and motorway bridges. Up to five eggs, white with dark blotches at the wider end, may be laid, and a second clutch is common. Ptyonoprogne martins feed mainly on insects caught in flight, and patrol cliffs near the breeding site with a slow hunting flight as they seek their prey. They may be hunted by falcons and infected with mites and fleas, but their large ranges and populations mean that none of the crag martins are considered to be threatened, and all are classed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.