Fairy Martin
Petrochelidon ariel
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyHirundinidae (Swallows and Martins)
- GenusPetrochelidon (Cliff Swallows and Allies)
- SpeciesPetrochelidon ariel (Fairy Martin)
About the Fairy Martin
The fairy martin (Petrochelidon ariel) is a member of the swallow family of passerine birds which breeds in Australia. It is migratory wintering through most of Australia, with some birds reaching New Guinea and Indonesia. It is increasingly a wanderer to New Zealand, where it may have bred. This species is frequently placed in the genus Hirundo as Hirundo ariel.
This is a bird of open country near water, and is usually seen near its nest sites in cliffs, culverts or bridges. The fairy martin is dumpy and square tailed. It averages 12 centimetres (4.7 in) long and weighs 11 grams (0.39 oz). The adult has an iridescent blue back, brown wings and tail, a rufous crown and nape, and a whitish rump. The underparts are dull white. The sexes are similar, but young birds are duller and browner, with a paler forehead and pale fringes to the back and wing feathers.
This species can be distinguished from other Australian swallows by its pale rump. The most similar species, the tree martin, has a shallowly forked tail and blue-black head and nape. The call of this vocal swallow is a chrrrr and the song is a high-pitched twitter. The vocalizations are higher pitched than those... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Fairy Martin in Nitmiluk National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Nitmiluk National Park
Tree Martin
Petrochelidon nigricans
Great Bowerbird
Chlamydera nuchalis
Brown Honeyeater
Lichmera indistincta
Torresian Crow
Corvus orru
White-gaped Honeyeater
Stomiopera unicolor
White-throated Honeyeater
Melithreptus albogularis
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Entomyzon cyanotis
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Coracina papuensis
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Philemon argenticeps
Green Oriole
Oriolus flavocinctus
Northern Fantail
Rhipidura rufiventris
Dusky Honeyeater
Myzomela obscura
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Nitmiluk National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 3 | Daintree National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 4 | Ningaloo Marine Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 5 | Kosciuszko National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 6 | Flinders Ranges National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 7 | Grampians National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 8 | Great Otway National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 9 | Blue Mountains National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 10 | Booderee National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 11 | Wilsons Promontory National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 12 | Royal National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 13 | Lamington National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 14 | Litchfield National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 15 | Cape Range | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 16 | Noosa National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 17 | Rakiura National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 18 | Kakadu National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Fairy Martin in Nitmiluk National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Fairy Martin sighting in Nitmiluk National Park, based on 31 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Fairy Martin in Nitmiluk National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Fairy Martin in Nitmiluk National Park in our monthly data.