Fairy Martin

The Fairy Martin, a dumpy bird with a square tail, is a delightful sight to behold. Adults boast an iridescent blue back, complemented by brown wings and tail, and a rufous crown and nape that catch the light. A whitish rump and dull white underparts complete their attire. Both sexes share this plumage, though juveniles present a more subdued appearance with paler foreheads and feather fringes.

Identification Tips

Distinguishable by its pale rump, the Fairy Martin is unique amongst its Australian swallow counterparts. The Tree Martin, its closest lookalike, differs with a shallowly forked tail and a blue-black head and nape. Observers should listen for its distinctive chrrrr call and high-pitched twittering song, which are notably higher in pitch than those of the Tree Martin.

Habitat

This species favors open country in proximity to water, often found near cliffs, culverts, or bridges, where it constructs its nests.

Distribution

The Fairy Martin is a migratory bird, breeding in Australia and wintering across the continent. Some venture as far as New Guinea and Indonesia, and there are increasing reports of wanderers reaching New Zealand, where they may have bred.

Behaviour

In flight, Fairy Martins exhibit a slow, fluttering style, typically feeding high in the air on flying insects in large flocks. They may also swoop low over water to catch insect swarms or dine on injured moths on freshly mown lawns. These birds are highly sociable, often forming large flocks that may include Tree Martins.

Song & Calls

The Fairy Martin communicates with a 'chrrrr' call and a high-pitched twitter that is distinctly higher than that of the Tree Martin.

Breeding

From August to January, Fairy Martins engage in colonial breeding, with colonies ranging from a few tens to a record 700 nests. They build retort- or bottle-shaped mud nests, lined with grass and feathers. Both sexes contribute to nest construction, incubation, and chick rearing. Clutches typically contain four, sometimes five, speckled white eggs, and the species may breed multiple times in a season.

Similar Species

The Tree Martin is the most similar species but can be differentiated by its forked tail and blue-black head and nape.

Diet and Feeding

Fairy Martins feast on flying insects, often in large flocks. They exhibit a preference for feeding higher than Welcome Swallows and may also feed on insects close to water surfaces or on lawns.

Conservation status

The Fairy Martin is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.