Tree martin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tree martin |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Petrochelidon
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| Species: |
nigricans
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The tree martin (Petrochelidon nigricans) is a small bird from the swallow family. These birds are known for their fast flight. Tree martins live and have their babies in Australia, mostly in the southern parts. They also live on Timor island.
Tree martins are migratory birds. This means they travel to different places for winter. They spend winter across most of Australia, New Guinea, parts of Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands. Sometimes, they visit New Zealand and New Caledonia. They have even had babies in New Zealand. You might also hear this bird called Hirundo nigricans.
These birds like open woodlands, especially places with big trees. Big trees give them holes for their nests. You can also see them more and more in cities and towns.
Contents
What Does a Tree Martin Look Like?
Tree martins are about 13 centimeters (5 inches) long. They have a tail that looks like a shallow fork. Adult tree martins have a shiny blue back and head. Their wings and tail are brown. They have a reddish-brown forehead and a white area above their tail. Their belly and chest are white.
Both male and female tree martins look similar. Young birds are not as bright. They are browner with a lighter forehead. Their back and wing feathers have light edges.
Tree Martin Sounds
These swallows are quite chatty! Their call sounds like a tsweet. Their song is a high-pitched, fast twittering sound.
How to Tell Them Apart
You can tell a tree martin from other Australian swallows by its tail shape. Also, its light-colored rump (the area above its tail) helps identify it. The fairy martin looks very similar. However, the fairy martin has a reddish-brown head and neck, which the tree martin does not.
Different Types of Tree Martins
There are three main types, or subspecies, of the tree martin:
- P. n. nigricans: This is the biggest type. It lives in eastern Australia, but not in northern Queensland. This is also the type that has had babies in New Zealand.
- P. n. neglecta: This type lives in western and northern Australia. It is a bit smaller than P. n. nigricans, measuring about 11–12 centimeters (4.3–4.7 inches) long.
- P. n. timoriensis: This is the smallest type. It mostly lives in Timor. This subspecies has dark streaks on its throat and neck.
Tree Martin Behavior and Life Cycle
Tree martins have their babies from July to January, depending on where they live. They might nest alone or in small groups. This depends on how many good nesting spots are available.
Nesting Habits
Tree martins build their nests in natural holes. These holes can be in dead trees or in cracks in rocks. More and more, they are also using man-made places. You can find their nests on bridges and buildings. This is very common in western Australia. They even nest in big cities like Adelaide and Perth. Sometimes, tree martins will even use the nests of welcome swallows. They might even push the welcome swallows out to take over their nest!
The nest itself is often made from grass and leaves. This is unusual for a cliff swallow. Sometimes, they make their nests stronger with mud. They also use a mix of mud and plant fibers. This mix helps make the entrance to their nesting hole smaller.
Eggs and Babies
A female tree martin usually lays 3 to 5 eggs, but most often it's four. The eggs are white with brown and purple spots. Tree martins often have two sets of babies in one breeding season.
How They Find Food
Tree martins fly very fast and twist through the air. They usually fly higher than welcome swallows, often more than 6 meters (20 feet) above the ground. You can often see them flying above tall eucalyptus trees. They catch flying insects high above the treetops. They will also fly low over water to catch swarms of insects. When they are not having babies, tree martins like to be in groups. They often fly with fairy martins in mixed flocks.
Images for kids
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A tree martin landing on a branch
See also
In Spanish: Golondrina arborícola para niños
