[order] Passeriformes | [family] Hirundinidae | [latin] Progne chalybea | [UK] Grey-breasted Martin | [FR] Hirondelle chalybee | [DE] Graubrustschwalbe | [ES] Golondrina Pechigris | [IT] Rondine pettogrigio | [NL] Grijsborstpurperzwaluw
Subspecies
| Genus | Species | subspecies | Breeding Range | Breeding Range 2 | Non Breeding Range |
| Progne | chalybea | LA | widespread | ||
| Progne | chalybea | chalybea | |||
| Progne | chalybea | macrorhamphus | |||
| Progne | chalybea | warneri |
Physical charateristics
Adult Gray-breasted Martins are 18 cm in length, with a forked tail and relatively broad wings, and weigh 39g. Adult males are a glossy blue-black with the grey-brown throat, breast and sides contrasting with the white lower underparts. Females are duller than the male, and juveniles have dull brown upperparts.
Listen to the sound of Grey-breasted Martin
[audio:http://www.aviflevoland.nl/sounddb/G/Grey-breasted Martin.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
| wingspan min.: | 0 | cm | wingspan max.: | 0 | cm |
| size min.: | 16 | cm | size max.: | 18 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 15 | days | incubation max.: | 18 | days |
| fledging min.: | 25 | days | fledging max.: | 28 | days |
| broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 2 | ||
| eggs max.: | 5 |
Range
The nominate race P. c. chalybea breeds from Mexico through Central America south to central Brazil, and on Trinidad. P. c. macrorhamphus breeds further south in South America to central Argentina.
Habitat
It is found in towns and semi-open areas especially near water
Reproduction
The Gray-breasted Martin nests in cavities in banks and buildings, or old woodpecker holes. 2-4 eggs are laid in the lined nest, and incubated for 15-16 days, with another 22 to fledging.
Feeding habits
Gray-breasted Martins are gregarious birds which hunt for insects in flight. Their call is a gurgly chew-chew, similar to that of the closely related Caribbean Martin. The latter species is slightly larger, and has more contrasting underparts.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 15,000,000 km