Family Swallows and Martins (Hirundinidae)
Least Concern
Cuban Martin (Progne cryptoleuca)
Taxonomy
French: Hirondelle de Cuba German: Kubaschwalbe Spanish: Golondrina cubana
Taxonomy:
Progne cryptoleuca
S. F. Baird
, 1865,Cuba
.Distribution:
Cuba (including Cayo Romano) and I of Pines; non-breeding range unknown, probably in South America (recorded in Curaçao).
Descriptive notes
18–19 cm. Male is glossy steel-blue, with concealed white band on lower abdomen; wings and tail sooty-black, tail forked. Differs from extremely similar P. subis... read more
Voice
Song is a gurgling, including a high-pitched “twick-twick”; also a strong melodious... read more
Habitat
Semi-open areas, especially near water and along coast, such as scrub, farmland, mangroves; also... read more
Food and feeding
Diet includes beetles (Coleoptera), heteropteran bugs, and Odonata. Flight alternately flapping and gliding.
Breeding
Apr–Aug. In loose colonies, sometimes solitary. Nest of vegetable fibres, e.g. grass, twigs and leaves, placed in natural tree hole... read more
Movements
Absent from breeding areas mid-Oct to Jan, most having left by Sept. Non-breeding range not known,... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened. Common throughout most of breeding range. Research required in order to establish whereabouts of non-breeding quarters.
Has been considered a race of P. subis or of P. dominicensis (see both). Monotypic.