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 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Tree Martin
Petrochelidon nigricans
White-backed Swallow
Cheramoeca leucosterna
Welcome Swallow
Hirundo neoxena
Willie Wagtail
Rhipidura leucophrys
White-plumed Honeyeater
Ptilotula penicillata
Zebra Finch
Taeniopygia guttata
Singing Honeyeater
Gavicalis virescens
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
Acanthagenys rufogularis
Yellow-throated Miner
Manorina flavigula
Black-faced Woodswallow
Artamus cinereus
Gray Shrikethrush
Colluricincla harmonica
Purple-backed Fairywren
Malurus assimilis
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 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Fairy Martin sighting in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, based on 151 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Fairy Martin in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Fairy Martin in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in our monthly data.