martin martin small bird swallow family long broad body wings short square tail small white patches near tips feathers martin brown slightly paler subspecies resident breeding birds indian southwestern china northern parts thailand vietnam martin nests cliff man structure building neat half cup mud nest soft lining adults eggs feed chicks species form large breeding colonies outside breeding season feeds wide variety insects caught martin flies near cliff faces hunted large bats birds prey extensive expanding range large population mean significant conservation concerns taxonomy martin formally described british soldier moved new genus german nearest relatives members genus rock martin pale martin genus derived greek fan referring shape opened tail mythological girl turned swallow specific latin con color colour refers bird uniform species members swallow family birds classed members subfamily comprises distinctive river dna studies suggest major broadly type nest built groups core including species like sand martin nest birds like tree swallow natural mud nest builders species construct open mud nest belong group species build open nests house closed nest like closed nests entrance tunnel genus closely related larger swallow genus dna analysis showed enlarged genus contain mud builder genera including house practice authorities follow nests resembles typical species like barn swallow research showed split considered separate genus pakistan breeding range martin overlaps subspecies pale martin species breeds higher mountains separation means known closely related cast doubts distinct species burma thailand described separate darker subspecies originally baker clear difference greater individual nominate subspecies description martin long broad body wings tail brown slightly paler pale dull chin throat tail short square small white patches near tips central pairs feathers dark brown eyes brown small bill mainly black legs brownish pink sexes alike juveniles grey tips plumage wings species distinguished martin rock martin darker white tail spots significantly smaller martin tail shade underside abdomen darker martin small martin flight typically slow capable considerable speed required calls similar martin include soft contact song distribution habitat nominate subspecies martin breeds indian base south mountains east found southwestern china northern parts thailand vietnam martin largely resident apart local movements breeding bred malaysia occurred sri_lanka probably borneo natural breeding habitat hilly mountainous country cliffs caves nesting typically altitude thailand martin breeds lowland areas man structures substitute natural stone buildings old forts particularly favoured martin found urban areas including mumbai nests buildings ground include unusual sites light fittings behaviour breeding martin pairs typically nest suitable locations pairs close natural nesting habitat cliff faces river banks man structures readily stone buildings old hill forts tombs preferred artificial sites include bridges breeding reported month mainly february march rains start july august usually raised nest built adults open half cup mud lined soft material feathers dry grass constructed cliff man structure second brood subsequent years clutch eggs white reddish brown particularly wide end averaging weight adults eggs feed chicks periods unknown assumed similar martin day hatching days feeding martin feeds mainly insects caught flight nesting birds fly forth near rock face building hunting prey martin outside breeding season form small flocks food abundant vertical surfaces preferred hunting study martin similar foraging technique showed cliff faces generate standing waves concentrate insects near vertical areas martin exploits area close cliff hunts relying high ability perform tight turns feeding young foraging concentrated profitable patches immediate vicinity nest negative foraging distance feeding rate predators parasites addition predation birds prey falcon small martin recorded diet greater false vampire bat status total population martin suspected increasing owing availability artificial nest sites martin locally common india thailand southern china appear range extensions northeast southwards lowland westwards hills plains recent unconfirmed report large range presumed high numbers mean martin considered threatened classed concern iucn red list
Dusky crag martin