Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Picinguaba, Ubatuba • November 2009

Bird name: Gray Breasted Martin
Latin: Progne chalybea
Other: Grey-breasted Martin • Andorinha-doméstica-grande (Br)
Family: Hirundinidae • Martins

The neck and upper chest of the Gray-breasted Martin is mottled grey. Typical blue-black top of head, neck and shoulders. Dark grey upperside of wings. Forked tail.

Although there are various morphs of the Gray-breasted Martin, I feel fairly certain of the identification of these photos, as these were sitting near Blue-and-white Swallows, which were much smaller.

The Grey-breasted Martin is a relatively large bird for a swallow or martin, found throughout much of Latin America from Mexico to Brazil. In Brazil it is widespread, though only migrating to the far southern states in the austral winter.

There were a dozen or more of these Gray-breasted Martins settling on telephone wires in the Picinguaba Reserve.



Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba • November 2009 More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Brown Chested Martin
Latin: Progne tapera
Other: Andorinha-do-campo (Br)
Family: Hirundinidae • Martins

The Brown-chested Martin lives throughout Brazil migrating to the south in the summer. It is also found in much of Central and South America.

Visual identification is a little tricky because of confusion with the Sand Martin (Bank Swallow), which looks similar but smaller, so treat these pics with caution. The Brown-chested Martin is white underneath with a brown collar and some brown spreading down chest.

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Photos copyright: monacoeye • Hyeres, France • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common House Martin
Latin: Delichon urbica
Other: Hirondelle de fenêtre
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows & Martins

The House Martin is a small migratory Martin with white body and dark tail and wings.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice, France • April 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Sand Martin
Latin: Riparia riparia
Other: Bank Swallow • Collared Sand Martin • Hirondelle de rivage
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows & Martins

The Sand Martin returned from migration in April in the Var. It is differentiated from the Crag and House Martin by its white belly and dark collar.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice & Monaco • Winter 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Crag Martin
Latin: Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Other: Hirondelle de rochers
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows & Martins

The Crag Martin is a common bird in Monaco in the winter - seen in all altitudes in the region from sea level to the mountains. A fast flyer like all the Martins and Swallows. Fairly nondescript mousey brown, with light throat, and small white “windows” visible in tail, which give it away.More photos...