Gray-breasted Martin
Progne chalybea
These birds are highly social and will band together to aggressively mob and chase away much larger predators, like hawks, to protect their colony.
- Scientific name
- Progne chalybea
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Hirundinidae › Progne
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- urban
- Habitat
- Towns, cities, agricultural clearings, and forest edges near water.
- Diet
- Flying insects, including beetles, wasps, flies, and winged termites.
- Range
- Mexico, Central America, South America, Trinidad and Tobago
- Size
- Length: 18 cm, Wingspan: 38 cm, Weight: 40 g
- Lifespan
- 4-6 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Widespread pesticide use reducing insect populations, and loss of nesting cavities.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless to humans. You can safely observe them from any distance as they forage high in the air. Avoid disturbing active nests under roofs or bridges. If you find a grounded chick, place it back in its nest if safe, or contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.
The grey-breasted martin ( Progne chalybea ) is a large swallow from Central and South America.
Photo: Esteban Poveda, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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