small bird series: fairy martins #3
Many thanks for your visits, faves and comments. Cheers.
....from a walk through Oxley Creek Common - the wrens are like flies at the moment - there's a lot. Oxley Creek Common is home to a remarkable variety of birds. An experienced observer can find as many as 70 species in one hour of observation during the spring about 10% of all Australia's bird species and several times the diversity one could find walking the suburbs. In the past eleven years over 190 species have been recorded on the Common. (Source: University of Queensland)
Fairy Martin
Scientific Name: Petrochelidon ariel
Description: The Fairy Martin is a small bird, with dark wings, a white underbody and a pinkish-red head. The short, slightly forked tail appears square in flight. It is gregarious, feeding in large flocks and nesting in colonies.
Similar species: The related Tree Martin, H. nigricans, has a black head and a 'dirty' white rump. Martins are generally smaller and 'dumpier' than swallows, and have a shorter, squared rather than forked tail in flight.
Distribution: The Fairy Martin is found across Australia.
Habitat: The Fairy Martin prefers open country near water, and is usually seen near its nest sites, in cliffs, culverts or bridges.
Seasonal movements: Seasonally migratory, moving north for winter, with some birds flying to New Guinea.
Feeding: The Fairy Martin feeds high in the air on flying insects, usually in large flocks.
Breeding: A colonial nester, the Fairy Martin builds bottle-shaped mudnests that are packed closely together on the ceilings of caves, and under bridges or other similar structures. Both sexes build the nest and share incubation and care of the young.
Calls: Soft, churing notes and twittering.
Minimum Size: 11cm
Maximum Size: 12cm
Average size: 12cm
Average weight: 11g
Breeding season: Variable; June to December.
Clutch Size: 2 to 6
Incubation: 16 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2016
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
small bird series: fairy martins #3
Many thanks for your visits, faves and comments. Cheers.
....from a walk through Oxley Creek Common - the wrens are like flies at the moment - there's a lot. Oxley Creek Common is home to a remarkable variety of birds. An experienced observer can find as many as 70 species in one hour of observation during the spring about 10% of all Australia's bird species and several times the diversity one could find walking the suburbs. In the past eleven years over 190 species have been recorded on the Common. (Source: University of Queensland)
Fairy Martin
Scientific Name: Petrochelidon ariel
Description: The Fairy Martin is a small bird, with dark wings, a white underbody and a pinkish-red head. The short, slightly forked tail appears square in flight. It is gregarious, feeding in large flocks and nesting in colonies.
Similar species: The related Tree Martin, H. nigricans, has a black head and a 'dirty' white rump. Martins are generally smaller and 'dumpier' than swallows, and have a shorter, squared rather than forked tail in flight.
Distribution: The Fairy Martin is found across Australia.
Habitat: The Fairy Martin prefers open country near water, and is usually seen near its nest sites, in cliffs, culverts or bridges.
Seasonal movements: Seasonally migratory, moving north for winter, with some birds flying to New Guinea.
Feeding: The Fairy Martin feeds high in the air on flying insects, usually in large flocks.
Breeding: A colonial nester, the Fairy Martin builds bottle-shaped mudnests that are packed closely together on the ceilings of caves, and under bridges or other similar structures. Both sexes build the nest and share incubation and care of the young.
Calls: Soft, churing notes and twittering.
Minimum Size: 11cm
Maximum Size: 12cm
Average size: 12cm
Average weight: 11g
Breeding season: Variable; June to December.
Clutch Size: 2 to 6
Incubation: 16 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2016
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.