- Progne dominicensis
Identification
A large swallow of about 20 cm (8 inches) with upperparts, head and throat blue-black, sharply demarcated from white lower breast and belly. Flight-feathers and tail tend to be more black then the rest of the upperparts.
Female tends to have lighter upperpart than the male, with a brown wash.
Juveniles are almost identical to females, but if newly fledged retain a yellow side to the bill.
Distribution
Found from Jamaica and Hispaniola east and then south through the Lesser Antilles to Tobago but not Trinidad. It is mostly absent from this area during October through December, presumably migrating to northern South America (Venezuela to the Guianas). In January more likely to be seen in wandering flocks than at breeding location.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
In Dominica primarily seen along the coast, both breeding in towns and on rocky cliffs. Elsewhere also found along freshwater bodies.
During the day in Barbados they may be found along the coast as well as inland in pastures and fields and often seen perched in large numbers along high tension wires. On evenings, they can be seen in large numbers perched on the side of tall buildings.
Behaviour
Breeding
Fairly common breeding resident in the West Indies from January through to September. The 3-6 eggs are incubated for 15 days; the young fledge 26-27 days later.
Diet
The diet includes insects.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Birdforum member personal observations
- Raffaele, H, J Wiley, OH Garrido, A Keith, JI Raffaele. 2003. Birds of the West Indies. Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0691113197
- Neotropical birds portal
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Caribbean Martin. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 14 September 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Caribbean_Martin
External Links
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