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25

Rock Martin (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) Alternate name(s): "African Rock Martin", "Pale Crag Martin" Size: 12-15 cm

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Similar species

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

Physical description 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.

Taxonomy, classification See Rock Martin at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed based on sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to the ebird.org website. 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.

Sightings 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.

Photos

Race "fusciventris"(?)

ADULT

Sex unknown

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]

Breeding information

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

Nest

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]

Eggs

Size: 21 x 14 mm

Colour: Buff-white with grey-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

Food, Diet

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.

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