Fairy Martin
Bottle Swallow
Click to enlarge image
© S.G.Lane
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Petrochelidon
- Species
- ariel
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Class
- Aves
-
- Size Range
- Up to 12 cm
Small bird, red head, short forked tail.
Identification
A small bird, with blue-black to brown wings, a white underbody and a pinkish-red head. The short, slightly-forked tail appears square in flight. Males and females are similar; juvenile birds are duller in colour.
Habitat
Open country near water, and is usually seen near its nest sites, on cliffs, culverts or bridges.
Distribution
Across Australia
Feeding and diet
Feeds high in the air on flying insects, usually in large flocks.
Communication
The call is a soft, churring and twittering sound.
Breeding behaviours
The Fairy Martin is a member of the swallow family and is known as the 'Bottle Swallow' for its characteristic bottle-shaped mud nests. A colonial nester, these birds build mud nests that are packed closely together on the ceilings of caves, and under bridges or other similar structures. Both sexes build the nest and share incubation and care of the young.
