Grey breasted Martin (Progne chalybea)

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