Cuban Martin
Progne cryptoleuca
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyHirundinidae (Swallows and Martins)
- GenusProgne (New World Martins)
- SpeciesProgne cryptoleuca (Cuban Martin)
About the Cuban Martin
The Cuban martin (Progne cryptoleuca) is a large swallow endemic to Cuba. It is closely related to the Caribbean martin (P. dominicensis), which breeds on Caribbean islands from Jamaica east to Tobago, and the Sinaloa martin (P. sinaloae), which breeds in Mexico.
It has at various times been considered alternatively as a race of the purple martin, Progne subis. Adult Cuban martins are 18.5 cm in length, with a forked tail and relatively broad wings, and weigh 40 g. Adult males are a glossy blue-black with contrasting white lower underparts. Females and juveniles are duller than the male, with grey-brown breast and flanks and white lower underparts.
Adult male Cuban martins can be distinguished from adult male Caribbean martins by their dark bellies: Caribbean martins have a prominent white patch on theirs. Adult females and immatures aren't as easily distinguished.
On the other hand, adult male Cuban martins and Purple martins cannot be reliably distinguished in the field. Adult female and immature Purple martins have a scaly breast pattern which can be used to distinguish the two species.
Unlike these two similar species, the Cuban martin is endemic to Cuba and Isla... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Cuban Martin in Ciénaga de Zapata
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Ciénaga de Zapata
Purple Martin
Progne subis
Cave Swallow
Petrochelidon fulva
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx serripennis
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
Red-legged Thrush
Turdus plumbeus
Palm Warbler
Setophaga palmarum
Greater Antillean Grackle
Quiscalus niger
Cuban Pewee
Contopus caribaeus
Cuban Blackbird
Dives atroviolaceus
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird
Agelaius humeralis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ciénaga de Zapata | 🇨🇺 Cuba |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Cuban Martin in Ciénaga de Zapata?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Cuban Martin sighting in Ciénaga de Zapata, based on 73 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Cuban Martin in Ciénaga de Zapata?
July has the highest sighting rate for Cuban Martin in Ciénaga de Zapata in our monthly data.