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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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 2 years ago 20 sec 4 -
Two birds perched in a tree. Locality Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 30 January 2009 4 years ago 13 sec 4 -
Preening and calling. Locality Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Stephen Wallace 9 December 2011 1 year ago 54 sec 3.8 -
A pair of birds inspecting a hole in a tree branch. Locality Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 27 December 2009 3 years ago 35 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 2 years 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 6 years ago 18 sec 3.6 -
An adult perched on a branch and flying away, and an adult preening and flying away Locality Sundown National Park, Queensland, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Tom Tarrant 30 June 1996 8 years ago 20 sec 3.6 -
An adult preening and fluttering its wings. Locality Woodlands Historic Park, Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 15 January 2011 2 years ago 29 sec 3.5 -
A juvenile bird perching in a tree, flapping its wings and begging when an adult flies past. It then ruffles its feathers and tu Locality Woodlands Historic Park, Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 15 January 2011 2 years ago 23 sec 3.5 -
A bird on a wire, preening Locality Penrice Saltfields, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Philip Griffin 30 October 2005 7 years ago 19 sec 3.5 -
An adult preening at the entrance to a nest hollow. Locality Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 17 October 2010 2 years ago 35 sec 3.3 -
A bird perched on a wire, preening Locality Penrice Saltfields, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 12 April 2006 6 years ago 10 sec 3.3 -
An adult bird perching on a branch. Gets a feather in its beak during preening,releases it and goes back to preening. Locality Woodlands Historic Park, Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 15 January 2011 2 years ago 16 sec 3.2 -
A bird perched in a tree then flying away. Locality Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Nick Talbot 30 January 2009 4 years ago 13 sec 3 -
Two birds on a wire and in flight. Locality Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia (ssp neglecta)
Josep del Hoyo 28 October 2009 3 years ago 11 sec 2
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