Tree Martin

1. Glossy blue crown and back (not rusty like Fairy Martin)

2. Grayish, streaked rump (not bright white as in Fairy Martin)

3. Modestly forked tail and pleasant twittering calls

Tree Martins feed almost exclusively on flying insects, hunting with swift, twisting flight higher than most other swallows. Breeding occurs mainly from July to January, with pairs or small groups nesting in tree hollows, cliff crevices, or artificial sites. Nests are simple linings of grass and leaves, sometimes reinforced with mud or plant fibers to reduce the entrance size. Both parents share nest building, incubation, and chick rearing. Tree Martins are generally solitary or nest in small, loose groups, but can be highly gregarious outside the breeding season, forming large communal roosts.

Tree Martins are widespread throughout Australia, including Tasmania, and are found in a wide range of habitats from open woodlands and shrublands to wetlands, farmland, and urban areas. They prefer areas near water and often nest in tree hollows, cliff crevices, or artificial structures like nest boxes, bridges, and buildings. After breeding, they form large flocks and may migrate northward, sometimes reaching New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands. Look for them flying high above the canopy or water, often in loose flocks, and listen for their high-pitched twittering.