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25

Eurasian Crag Martin

(Ptyonoprogne rupestris)
Alternate name(s): "Crag Martin"
German name(s): "Felsenschwalbe"

Size: 13-15 cm; wing span: 32-34.5 cm
Weight: 23 g (average)

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Eurasian Crag Martin at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

ADULT

PAIR

Lateral view of a resting pair of Eurasian Crag Martins (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2022]

Sex unknown

Near-lateral view of a Eurasian Crag Martin looking towards the observer; note the characteristic streaking on the chin/throat
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Near-lateral view of a Eurasian Crag Martin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

Lateral view of a Eurasian Crag Martin looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

Close-up lateral view of a Eurasian Crag Martin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2017]

Lateral view of a Eurasian Crag Martin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2022]

Lateral portrait of a Eurasian Crag Martin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, February 2019]

Lateral view of a Eurasian Crag Martin (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Lateral view of a Eurasian Crag Martin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2018]

Lateral view of Eurasian Crag Martins (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, August 2020]

Near-dorsal view of a Eurasian Crag Martin holding on to a rockface (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a Eurasian Crag Martin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]

Dorsal view of a Eurasian Crag Martin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]

Lateral view from above onto a Eurasian Crag Martin in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Lagoa de Obidos, Obidos, Leiria, Portugal, July 2020]

Lateral view from above onto a Eurasian Crag Martin in flight, here with a clear view of the white "windows" on its uppertail (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Herdade do Esporao, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Evora, Portugal, January 2023]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Eurasian Crag Martin in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Herdade do Esporao, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Evora, Portugal, January 2023]

Dorsal view of a Eurasian Crag Martin banking to land (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montargil Dam, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, January 2019]

Ventral view of a Eurasian Crag Martin in flight, showing clearly the characteristic prominent white "windows"
(photo courtesy of G. Normand)
[Parc national de Calanque, near Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France, January 2021]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a juvenile Eurasian Crag Martin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, December 2013]

Frontal view of a juvenile Eurasian Crag Martin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Lateral view of a juvenile Eurasian Crag Martin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, August 2020]

Juvenile Eurasian Crag Martins resting on a ledge together with Common House Martins (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2019]

Breeding information

Breeding season: May - Aug Eggs: 2 - 5 Incubation period: 13 - 17 days Fledging age: 24 - 27 days

Except in the northern-most parts of their breeding range, Eurasian Crag Martins usually have two broods per season.

Nest building: Female & male Incubation: Female Dependent care: Female & male

Nest

Type: Mud nest in rock crevace Material: Mud; feathers, dry grass lining Height above ground: N/A

Eurasian Crag Martin sitting on its nest that is probably still under construction (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, February 2023]

Eurasian Crag Martin perched at the entrance to its nest hollow (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Eurasian Crag Martin collecting mud for its nest (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]

Eggs

Size: 20 x 14 mm Colour: White, with many small dark-brown to black speckles Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Sedentary/Migratory Elementary unit: Pair/Flock

Food, Diet

Adults: Small insects Dependents: As adults Water intake: Daily(?)

Like all other swallows known to us, Eurasian Crag Martins are insect hunters. They feed in-flight on small insects.

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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