Swallows and Martins (Hirundinidae)
Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans) - HBW 9, p. 683
French: Hirondelle des arbres
German: Baumschwalbe
Spanish: Golondrina Arborícola
Other common names: Australian Tree Martin
Taxonomy: Hirundo nigricans Vieillot, 1817, Hobart, Tasmania.
Genus often merged with Hirundo, but DNA studies support retention of separate taxa. Affinities of species not clear, as it differs from typical members of genus in e.g. nest structure and material. Until recently, W mainland population was placed in nominate race, but all those in Australia now thought to belong to race neglecta, differentiated from Tasmanian population. Three subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- timoriensis Sharpe, 1885 - E Lesser Sundas (Timor, probably also Flores).
- neglecta Mathews, 1912 - Australia (except N and dry C areas).
- nigricans (Vieillot, 1817) - Tasmania; migrates N as far as New Guinea.
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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Two birds perched in a tree. Locality Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 30 January 2009 3 years ago 13 sec 4 -
A juvenile bird perching on a branch. Begging when an adult flies past, then preening. Locality Woodlands Historic Park, Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 15 January 2011 1 year ago 20 sec 3.8 -
A juvenile perching on a branch, preening then pecking the branch. Locality Woodlands Historic Park, Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 15 January 2011 1 year ago 27 sec 3.7 -
A bird preening on a wire Locality Penrice Saltfields, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 12 April 2006 5 years ago 18 sec 3.6 -
Preening and calling. Locality Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Stephen Wallace 9 December 2011 23 weeks ago 54 sec 3.6 -
A pair of birds inspecting a hole in a tree branch. Locality Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 27 December 2009 2 years ago 35 sec 3.6
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An adult perching in a tree.
Locality Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 15 January 2011 1 year ago 3.5 -
An immature bird perching in a tree.
Locality Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 15 January 2011 1 year ago 3.2 -
Tree Martins perching with Fairy Martins in background
Locality Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Geoffrey Dabb 28 October 2009 15 weeks ago 3 -
An immature bird sitting in a tree.
Locality Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 15 January 2011 1 year ago 3 -
Perched on a fence
Locality Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia
Lindsay Hansch 6 February 2007 1 year ago 2.8
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A group of birds calling as some of them enter and leave nests in a tree beside a wetland. Locality Woodlands Historic Park, Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
(ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 19 January 2012 11 weeks ago 2
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