Wildlifeof New Zealand
Tree Martin
Introduced Songbirds & Finches
Photo: Peter Jacobs from Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0
Petrochelidon nigricans
Basic stats
Habitat
Open country and wetlands during rare visits
Range
Rare visitor
Size
Length about 13 cm
The tree martin is an Australian swallow recorded only as a rare visitor to New Zealand. It has blue-black upperparts, a pale grey rump, whitish underparts and a shallowly forked tail, lacking the welcome swallow’s rufous throat.
New Zealand records are scattered and irregular, usually involving single vagrants in open habitats. It catches small flying insects in continuous agile flight.
There is no dependable New Zealand site; sightings are exceptional and should be checked carefully against welcome swallows.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Tree Martin live in?
- Open country and wetlands during rare visits
- Where is the Tree Martin found?
- Rare visitor
- How big is the Tree Martin?
- Length about 13 cm