Cuban Martin

Progne cryptoleuca

Photo by Dave 2x

Identification

Adult male cannot reliably be distinguished from Purple Martin except in the hand: both are bluish purple overall, but Cuban Martin has concealed white feathers on the belly. Female shows white belly and abdomen that contrasts sharply with brown in breast and sides.

Distribution

Found on Cuba including surrounding smaller islands during the breeding season (February through October); believed to migrate to South America in non-breeding season. Accidental vagrant to Florida with 1 nineteenth century record.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1]. Sometimes thought to be a subspecies of Caribbean Martin.

Habitat

Widespread. Mostly nests colonially, and mostly in cavities, natural or manmade.

Behaviour

Breeding

It nests in cavities or old woodpecker holes. The 3-6 eggs are incubated for 15 days; the young fledging 26-27 later.

Diet

The diet includes insects which are hawked aerially.

Vocalisation

Call: chew-chew.

References

1. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. Wikipedia

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Cuban Martin. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Cuban_Martin

External Links

Search for photos of Cuban Martin in the gallery