About the Eurasian Crag Martin
The Eurasian crag martin or just crag martin is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It is about 14 cm (5.5 in) long with ash-brown upperparts and paler underparts, and a short, square tail that has distinctive white patches on most of its feathers. It breeds in the mountains of southern Europe, northwestern Africa and across the Palearctic. It can be confused with the three other species in its genus, but is larger with brighter tail spots and different plumage tone. Many European birds are resident, but some northern populations and most Asian breeders are migratory, wintering in northern Africa, the Middle East or India.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Eurasian crag martin is 13–15 cm (5.1–5.9 in) long, with a 32–34.5 cm (12.6–13.6 in) wingspan, and weighs an average 23 g (0.81 oz). It has ash-brown upperparts and paler underparts, and has a broader body, wings and tail than any other European swallow. The tail is short and square, with white patches near the tips of all but the central and outermost pairs of feathers. The underwing and undertail coverts are blackish, the eyes are brown, the small bill is mainly black, and the legs are brownish-pink.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Eurasian Crag Martin sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Belgium, Norway, Netherlands, South Korea, Sudan, Syria, Finland, Czechia, Estonia.
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Large Rock MartinPtyonoprogne fuligulaThe large rock martin of the nominate subspecies P. f. fuligula is 12–15 cm (4.7–5.9 in) long, with earth-brown upperparts and a short square tail that has small white patches near the tips of all but the central and outermost pairs of feathers.
Dusky Crag MartinPtyonoprogne concolorThe dusky crag martin is 13 cm (5 in) long with a broad body, wings and tail.
Pale Crag MartinPtyonoprogne obsoletaThe pale crag martin of the nominate subspecies P. o. obsoleta is 12–13 centimetres (4+1⁄2–5 inches) long with light brown upperparts, becoming paler on the lower back, and a short square tail that has small white patches near the tips of all but the central and outermost pairs of feathers.
Side by side: Eurasian Crag Martin vs Large Rock Martin · Dusky Crag Martin vs Eurasian Crag Martin
Learn the Eurasian Crag Martin for real
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