Habits
In flocks of 20 - 30 but sometimes hundreds or thousands. Occasionally singly or in twos. Often in association with other aerial birds such as Fairy Tern (Sternula nereis), swallows and swifts.
Food
Insects, including ants, beetles, bugs, flies and wasps.
Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans) [XC689357]
by Peter Boesman from Lune River, Huon Valley Council, Tasmania, Australia (call)
Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans) [XC98499]
by Matthias Feuersenger from Melaleuca, Southwest NP Tas, Australia (call)
Nest
Usually in a hollow of a tree or in a cleft of a cliff, but sometimes in suitable cavities of buildings, lined with dead leaves and dry grass. Mud may be used to narrow the entrance.
Eggs (Guide)
3 - 5; dull, white, speckled with brown and mauve; oval; about 18 x 13 mm. Incubation: about 15 - 16 days; by both sexes.
Young
Altricial, nidicolous. Fed by both parents.
Subspecies
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
nigricans (Vieillot, 1817) - Tasmania and islands of Bass Strait, wintering north throughout eastern Australia to Arnhem Land and Tiwi Island, NT, Cape York Peninsula and islands of Torres Strait, Qld and New Guinea, Bismarck Archipeligo and Solomon Islands, and vagrant to New Zealand.
neglecta Mathews, 1912 - Throughout Australia, except central sandy deserts, breeding mainly south of 20° Southern, wintering north of 30° south to New Guinea region.
Similar Species
Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel) which tends to have a cleaner, whiter rump, and has rufous head, usually readily visible in flight.
References
See References.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
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BirdLife International Species Factsheet