The grey-throated martin or Asian plain martin is a small passerine bird in the swallow family.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from the Indian subcontinent through Myanmar and Thailand to parts of Indochina and southern China. It favors open landscapes near freshwater such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, irrigation canals, and rice paddies. Colonies are often placed in vertical or sloping sandy banks, road cuttings, or quarries. Uses human-altered habitats readily and may shift locally with rainfall and water levels.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the Asian plain martin, this small swallow is commonly seen skimming low over rivers and fields as it hawks for insects. It nests colonially in burrows excavated into sandy banks, sometimes using human-made pits and embankments. Its subtle brown-and-grey plumage can look very similar to the sand martin, but it typically shows a greyer throat and a less distinct breast band.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile, low-level foraging over water and fields
Social Behavior
Typically nests in loose to dense colonies, with pairs excavating burrows in soft substrates. Both sexes participate in digging and incubation. Roosts communally, often with other swallows, and forms feeding flocks in open areas. Generally monogamous within a breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Soft, twittering calls and short trills given in flight and at the colony. The vocalizations are subdued compared to many swallows, consisting of gentle chirps and chitters that maintain contact within flocks.
