Eurasian Crag Martin
Ptyonoprogne rupestris

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– small passerine, slightly larger than Common House Martin
– altitudinal migrant; short distance migrant in Northern and Eastern part of it’s range
– probably migrates singly or in small loose flocks
– usually not very vocal during migration

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>


Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris, 2CY
BIF3114, 03/01/2019, Murcia, Spain, Martin Grimm
– underside light greyish brown gradually darker towards vent
– dark brown underwing coverts distinctly contrasting to lighter coloured remiges (cf. Common House Martin
– pale fringes to undertail coverts diagnostic for 1CY/2CY


Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris, 2CY
BIF3115, 03/01/2009, Murcia, Spain, Martin Grimm
– back somewhat paler than wings
– blurry demarcation between dark cheeks and lighter throat


Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris, 2CY
BIF3116, 03/01/2009, Murcia, Spain, Martin Grimm
– tail often appears straight cut


Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris, 2CY
BIF3117, 03/01/2009, Murcia, Spain, Martin Grimm
– large white ‘windows’ at the rectrices only visiable when tail is fanned out


Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris
BIF3118, 11/08/2017, Innichen, Italy, Roland Neumann
– typical silhouette with comparatively broad wingbase and only slightly forked tail


Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris, 1CY
BIF3119, 14/08/2017, Innichen, Italy, Roland Neumann
– in JUV the broad pale fringes to coverts of upper and undertail are very distinct


Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris, 1CY
BIF3120, 14/08/2017, Innichen, Italy, Roland Neumann
– contrast between lighter back and wings more pronounced than in Sand Martin


Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris, AD
BIF3121, 15/08/2017, Innichen, Italy, Roland Neumann
– AD lacking any pale fringes on the upperside
– AD start moult in late summer resulting in weird wing shape

>> ACOUSTIC ID >>>>>

calls in flight not yet sound recorded

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Pale Crag Martin (v)
Sand Martin (v)
Brown-throated Martin (v)
Common House Martin (v)
Barn Swallow (v)
Little Swift (v)

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