Fairy Martin
Petrochelidon ariel
The Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel) is a uncommon swallow found in 3 countries, weighing about 11 g. The fairy martin is a member of the swallow family of passerine birds which breeds in Australia.
About the Fairy Martin
The fairy martin is a member of the swallow family of passerine birds which breeds in Australia. It is migratory wintering through most of Australia, with some birds reaching New Guinea and Indonesia. It is increasingly a wanderer to New Zealand, where it may have bred. This species is frequently placed in the genus Hirundo as Hirundo ariel.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The fairy martin is dumpy and square tailed. It averages 12 centimetres (4.7 in) long and weighs 11 grams (0.39 oz). The adult has an iridescent blue back, brown wings and tail, a rufous crown and nape, and a whitish rump. The underparts are dull white. The sexes are similar, but young birds are duller and browner, with a paler forehead and pale fringes to the back and wing feathers. This species can be distinguished from other Australian swallows by its pale rump. The most similar species, the tree martin, has a shallowly forked tail and blue-black head and nape.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in New Zealand.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Fairy Martin?
- The fairy martin is dumpy and square tailed. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Fairy Martin?
- The Fairy Martin is a tiny sized bird weighing about 11 g.
- Where can you see a Fairy Martin?
- The Fairy Martin occurs in 3 countries, including Australia and Papua New Guinea.
- What birds look similar to a Fairy Martin?
- The Fairy Martin is most easily confused with the Cave Swallow, the Tree Martin and the South African Cliff Swallow.
- Is the Fairy Martin endangered?
- The Fairy Martin is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Fairy Martin for real
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