Alternative name: Brown-throated Martin
- Riparia paludicola
Identification
- Brown upper parts and throat.
- Slightly forked tail.
- The color of the underparts vary geographically, varying from white to brownish.
- Sexes similar, no seasonal variation.
Similar species
Small hirundine with character and behaviour of Sand Martin, but rather more compact form. Both upperparts and underparts duller than Sand Martin, contrasting less and no chest-band. Banded Martin has a brown chest band, white forehead, throat and belly.
Distribution
Large range in tropical and subtropical Africa.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Seven subspecies accepted:
- R. p. mauritanica in western Morocco
- R. p. minor from West Africa to Sudan and northeast Ethiopia
- R. p. schoensis in the Highlands of Ethiopia
- R. p. newtoni from eastern Nigeria to western Cameroon
- R. p. ducis from eastern Zaire to Uganda, Kenya and central Tanzania
- R. p. paludicola from Angola to Zambia, southern Tanzania and South Africa
- R. p. cowani in Madagascar
Grey-throated Martin was formerly included in this species.
Habitat
Common resident and local migrant to areas of preferably riverine riparian forest. Often near water.
Behaviour
Roosts in reeds in often large communities in non-breeding seasons. Often with other swallows. The breeding pair may roost in burrow. Often seen near wild fires and feeding mammals catching disturbed insects. Concentrates at emergences of termites. Skims bodies of water for food, drink and to bathe. Also bathes in foliage. Will sunbathe in winter from low perches with extended wings facing the sun, especially in the morning to warm up. May dust bathe
Diet
Feeds mainly on flying invertebrates that are caught in a short, but wide bill. When available emerging termites. Altricial chicks receive solid food directly from the parent's beak to their beak.
Breeding
Breeds mainly in winter, but breeding may occur thoughout the year when conditions allow. Breeds communally. Nest is an excavated tunnel in river, gorge bank, mammal burrows or termite nests by both sexes. May utilize old tunnels. Tunnels are dug upwards to a breeding chamber. 2-4 white eggs. Male and female incubate both during 12 days. In Morocco extended range espcially when water is abudant.
Brood Parasites
Plain Martins may be targeted by the Greater Honeyguide.
Vocalisation
Twitters softly.
References
- Clements, J. F., P. C. Rasmussen, T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, A. Spencer, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2023. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2023. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- BirdLife International (2008) The BirdLife checklist of the birds of the world, with conservation status and taxonomic sources. Version 1. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/spe..._Version_1.zip [.xls zipped 1 MB]. For more details, see: http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/taxonomy.html
- Trevor Carnaby, Beat About The Bush, Birds, www.Jacana.co.za, ISBN 978-1-77009-241-9
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Plain Martin. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 8 September 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Plain_Martin
