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Rock Martin
(Ptyonoprogne fuligula)
: "African Rock Martin", "Pale Crag Martin"
Size: 12-15 cm
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Similar species |
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Physical description |
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Click here for a physical description
Rock Martins are small members of the swallow family.
Their entire front is light-grey, while the
plumage
on the back is slate-grey. The upper side of the flight
feathers and tail feathers is dark-grey.
Rock Martins have very thin light-grey supercilia and
sometimes a light-grey frons.
The irises are dark-brown. The small, thin bill is grey.
The short legs and feet, which are grey, are invisible
in flight.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Rock
Martin at Wikipedia .
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Range, habitat |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
.
The global distribution of the Rock Martin is available
HERE
.
Rock Martins are usally found in central and western sub-Saharan
Africa, in East Africa South of the equator, in South Africa
and along the south-western African coastline. Although this
is not mentioned in all guides, they are also found in large
parts of Arabia and in south-western Asia, as far inland as
the Caucasus mountains and the border of Iran with Turkmenistan.
The race of Rock Martins whose core range is closest to Arabia
is
"fusciventris". We therefore assume that they have made the
jump across the Bab al-Mandab Strait and that we have seen this
race in Oman.
In Arabia Rock Martins, race "fusciventris"(?),
can be found all along the eastern coastline of the Red Sea,
in western Saudi Arabia, and from there into the interior,
and also in (near-)coastal Yemen, to about Salalah in Oman.
In Oman they are found along the North coast of the country,
from about the eastern cape to Musandam and on into the UAE,
up to about Dubai.
We found Rock Martins, race "fusciventris"(?),
in northern Oman in both urban areas and in mountainous terrain.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
Race "fusciventris"
We spotted Rock Martins, race "fusciventris"(?),
regularly flitting around the edges of buildings on the
Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, in the time
frame August 2009 - May 2010, where they were also found to be
nesting. They were also observed scooping water from the surface
of a pond in flight.
Rock Martins, race "fusciventris"(?),
were also spotted in Jebel Akhdar, south-west of Muscat, in February
2010, at altitudes of up to 2400 m.
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Photos |
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Race "fusciventris"(?)
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ADULT |
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Rock Martin in flight seen from straight underneath
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, November 2009]
Rock Martin in flight looking sideways
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, November 2009]
Frontal view of a Rock Martin in flight
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, November 2009]
Lateral view of a Rock Martin
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, November 2009]
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Breeding information |
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Breeding season: Apr(?) - Sep |
Eggs: 2 - 3 |
Incubation period: 16 - 19 days |
Fledging age: 22 - 30 days |
Although Rock Martins usually nest on their own, small colonies
are also occasionally found. The breeding season depends on
factors such as geographic latitude, local climate and also
altitude. In favourable conditions 2-3 broods can be raised
in one season.
Nest building: Female & male |
Incubation: Female & male |
Dependent care: Female & male |
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Nest |
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Type: Bowl |
Material: Mud with feather lining |
Height above ground: 3 - ? m |
Rock Martin bringing in a new feather for lining its nest
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, December 2009]
There is the perfect spot - fits!
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, December 2009]
Here a different nest, where two Rock Martin chicks are being fed
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
Job done! Rock Martin taking off to catch more insects
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
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Eggs |
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Size: 21 x 14 mm |
Colour: Buff-white with grey-brown
speckles |
Shape: Tapered oval |
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Food, Diet |
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Like all other swallows known to us, Rock 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.