About the Brown-chested Martin
The brown-chested martin is a species of passerine bird in the family Hirundinidae, the swallows and martins. It is found regularly in Panama and every mainland South American country except Chile. It has been documented as a vagrant in Aruba and Chile and there are unconfirmed reports from the Falkland Islands. It is a casual visitor to Costa Rica and has been recorded in Florida, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The brown-chested martin is 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7.1 in) long and weighs 30 to 40 g (1.1 to 1.4 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a mostly sandy brown head with a white chin and throat. Their upperparts are sandy brown. Their tail is slightly forked; it and their wings are a darker brown than the upperparts. Their underparts are mostly white with an indistinct brown band across the breast. Subspecies P. t. fusca is larger and overall darker than the nominate with a more defined breast band and dusky markings on the lower breast and belly. Voice: The brown-chested martin's song is "harsh and guttural with series of gurgling sounds". It has been described in more detail as "a series of liquid, rolling, descending trills, for example trr-tee-tuk-TEEERRR...trr-tee-tuk-TEEERRR...". Its calls are "a dry, buzzy djzeut and a more musical dureet".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Southern MartinProgne elegansThe southern martin is 17 to 20 cm (6.7 to 7.9 in) long.
Caribbean MartinProgne dominicensisAdult Caribbean martins are 18.5 cm in length, with a forked tail and relatively broad wings, and weigh 40 g.
Cuban MartinProgne cryptoleucaAdult Cuban martins are 18.5 cm in length, with a forked tail and relatively broad wings, and weigh 40 g.
Side by side: Brown-chested Martin vs Purple Martin · Brown-chested Martin vs Grey-breasted Martin
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