The Mascarene martin or Mascarene swallow is a passerine bird in the swallow family that breeds in Madagascar and in the Mascarene Islands. The nominate subspecies occurs on Mauritius and Réunion and has never been found away from the Mascarene Islands, but the smaller Madagascan subspecies, P. b. madagascariensis, is migratory and has been recorded wintering in East Africa or wandering to other Indian Ocean islands.
Region
Southwest Indian Ocean and East African coast
Typical Environment
Breeds year-round on the Mascarene Islands of Mauritius and Réunion, and seasonally in Madagascar. The Madagascan subspecies migrates or disperses to the East African coast and nearby Indian Ocean islands outside the breeding season. It frequents open habitats including coastal cliffs, river valleys, farmland, and towns. Nests are placed in crevices of lava cliffs, road cuttings, bridges, and buildings, often in loose colonies. Birds forage widely over open terrain, shorelines, and along rivers.
Altitude Range
0–2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Mascarene swallow, this martin breeds on Mauritius, Réunion, and Madagascar. Unlike many swallows, it has heavily streaked underparts and only a shallowly notched tail. It often nests on coastal cliffs, in crevices, and on buildings, forming loose colonies. Madagascan birds wander or winter in East Africa after breeding.
Madagascan subspecies by Claude W. Wyatt, 1894
Mascarene subspecies by Claude W. Wyatt, 1894
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
agile flier with rapid wingbeats and quick glides
Social Behavior
Often forms loose colonies at nesting sites and gathers in small flocks outside the breeding season. Nests in cavities, ledges, and man-made structures, using grass and feathers to line the cup. Both parents participate in feeding and nest defense.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A soft, dry twittering and chattering series given in flight and at colony sites. Calls are higher-pitched chips and trills used to keep contact within flocks.
