From Opus

Photo by luisrock62.
Photo taken: Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Photo by Jamfaraco.
Photo taken: Itapirubá/Imbituba-SC, Brazil.

Progne chalybea

Identification

Upperparts are shiny metallic dark blue while the throat and middle of the breast are grayish-brown and the belly and crissum are white.

The two images show one individual that is very white and another that is much darker, to show some of the variation in this species.

Distribution

The Gray-breasted Martin is distributed from Central America through most of South America south to central Argentina but excluding the Andes south of Colombia. Accidental vagrant to Texas (two 19th century records).

Taxonomy

This species has three subspecies: chalybea, warneri, and macrorhamphus; macrorhamphus is the southernmost subspecies and the one that averages whitest on the underside.

Habitat

It is found in towns and semi-open areas especially near water

Behaviour

Nests in crevices and under the eaves of houses.

External Links

• An identification essay comparing Caribbean Martin with Gray-breasted Martin