Native to Central and South America. Medium-sized, dark martin with a white belly and notched tail. Adult male: Glossy blue upperparts with blackish wings and tail. Dusky-brown face, breast and flanks with a pale throat and chin. White belly and undertail coverts. Adult female: Similar to male but less glossy above with a browner head and more extensive white underparts and throat. Juvenile: Drab, brownish upperparts with no bluish gloss. Female Purple Martins are similar but have a pale collar and forehead. Cuban Martin has a more contrasting white belly, and Southern Martin has a mostly dark belly.

Length: 18 (cm) Wingspan: (cm)

Habitat:

Found near water or adjacent clearings and towns.

Behavior:

Gregarious; often flocks with other species. Large numbers may gather and roost on power lines. Flies in slow circles high in the sky.

Feeding:

Feeds on flying insects including wasps, dragonflies, and beetles.