About the Southern Martin
The southern martin is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae, the swallows and martins. One source states that it is known in every mainland South American country except Colombia, Guyana, and Venezuela, and there are undocumented sight records in those three countries. It has occurred as a vagrant in the Malvinas/Falkland Islands and the U.S. state of Florida
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The southern martin is 17 to 20 cm (6.7 to 7.9 in) long. The sexes are dimorphic though both have a deeply forked tail. Adult males are almost entirely glossy steel-blue with blacker wings and tail. Females have duller steel-blue upperparts than males. Their underparts are mostly dusky brown with paler feather edges that give a scaly appearance; their undertail coverts are white with dusky streaks. Juveniles resemble adult females. Voice: The southern martin's song is "a short gurgle"; it also makes "a harsh contact call and an alarm call".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Chile, Falkland Islands.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
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.
Galapagos MartinProgne modestaThe Galapagos martin is about 15 cm (5.9 in) long.
Learn the Southern Martin for real
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