ML323031491

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Found by Doug Gochfeld on 1 April, we observed this “interesting” Progne from the peninsula tip over a period of several hours as it alternately perched in a willow, actively hunted, then returned to the willow to rest and preen. Somewhat larger than the nearby Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows feeding over the lake, this bird also had a stronger flight style and flew higher than the Swallows. Upperparts were uniformly dark with an iridescent blue cast on the crown and mantle/upperwing, more noticeable in good light. Underparts (belly, lower chest) were a soft white with only one or two hair-thin pale brownish streaks on the undertail coverts (seen only in highly cropped photos). The upper chest was a medium shade of gray-brown without a strong line of demarcation between the chest and belly. The same color extended down the flanks, contrasting with the white belly. The throat was slightly paler. Eyes, feet, and bill were dark. The tail had a relatively shallow fork. Although ID is not definitive at this point, I agree with the general consensus of Gray-breasted Martin. An astounding sighting given that it could be very easily overlooked and only 1 historical record for this species exists from the late 19th century (Texas, 1889). For me, this bird can be separated from female Purple Martin by size, being not that much larger than nearby Tree Swallows, and by the pale, unmarked underparts and the lack of a pale forehead and collar. Moving through the list of other possible Progne contenders I find no other that shows the suite of characters present in this bird.

Technical information

Model

NIKON D500

Lens

500.0 mm f/5.6

ISO

640

Focal length

500 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/3200 sec

Dimensions

2048 pixels x 1464 pixels

Original file size

1.71 MB