Andean Swallow vs Mascarene Martin

Andean Swallow

Orochelidon andecola

Small17 gGrassland

The Andean swallow is 13.5 to 14 cm (5.3 to 5.5 in) long and weighs 14 to 19 g (0.49 to 0.67 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a mostly glossy greenish black head with black lores, gray ear coverts, and a gray-brown chin and throat. Their upperparts are mostly glossy greenish black with a brownish rump and uppertail coverts. Their tail is square or somewhat notched. Their breast and flanks are gray-brown and their belly and undertail coverts grayish white. Subspecies O. a. oroyae has a glossy blue-black head and upperparts. Voice: The Andean swallow's song is "a harsh short trill or a harsh, short, dry trrrrt". Its calls are "a dry, rising dzree and a descending, slightly more musical chleep".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: David F. Belmonte · CC BY 4.0

Mascarene Martin

Phedina borbonica

Small22 gForest

Adult Mascarene martins of the nominate subspecies are 15 cm (5.9 in) long with wings averaging 117 mm (4.6 in) and weigh 23.9 g (0.84 oz). This small hirundine has dark brown-grey upperparts with faint streaking. It has grey-brown underparts becoming white on the throat and lower abdomen, all being heavily streaked with black. The slightly forked tail averages 54.6 mm (2.15 in) long and has white edges to the brown undertail coverts. The wings are blackish-brown and the bill and legs are black. The eyes are dark brown and the black bill averages 11.3 mm (0.44 in) long.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Wouter Van Landuyt · CC0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Andean Swallow and Mascarene Martin.