Caribbean Martin
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| Progne dominicensis (Gmelin, 1789) |
The Caribbean Martin or White-bellied Martin, Progne dominicensis, is a large swallow.
The nominate race P. d. dominicensis breeds on Caribbean islands from Jamaica east to Tobago, P. d. sinaloae (Sinaloa Martin) is the west Mexican subspecies, and P. d. cryptoleuca (Cuban Martin) is found on Cuba. There are sight records from mainland Central and South America, and most birds appear to migrate to the South American mainland.
The three races have at various times been considered as separate species, or alternatively as races of the Purple Martin, Progne subis.
The Caribbean Martin nests in cavities in banks and buildings, or old woodpecker holes. 3-6 eggs are laid in the lined nest, and incubated for 15 days, with another 26-27 to fledging.
Adult Caribbean Martins are 18.5 cm in length, with a forked tail and relatively broad wings, and weigh 40g. Adult males are a glossy blue-black with contrasting white lower underparts. Females and juveniles are duller than the male, with grey-brown breast and flanks and white lower underparts.
Caribbean Martins are gregarious birds which hunt for insects in flight. Their call is a gurgly chew-chew.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Progne dominicensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- Turner, Angela; Rose, Chris (1989). Swallows and martins: an identification guide and handbook. Houghton-Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-51174-7.
- ffrench, Richard (1991). A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago, 2nd edition, Comstock Publishing. ISBN 0-8014-9792-2.
- Hilty, Steven L (2003). Birds of Venezuela. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7136-6418-5.
