The red-throated rock martin, also known as the red-throated crag-martin, is a small passerine bird in the swallow family, Hirundinidae. It is found over a large area of Africa from Sierra Leone eastwards to Eritrea and Ethiopia and then south across East Africa to Zimbabwe and northern Mozambique. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the large rock martin.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occupies rocky landscapes from West Africa across the Sahel and Horn of Africa to East Africa, extending south to Zimbabwe and northern Mozambique. It favors cliffs, escarpments, river gorges, quarries, and canyon walls, and will use buildings and bridges where suitable ledges exist. Common over open savanna, thorn scrub, and highland valleys with nearby rock faces. Often seen near watercourses where insects are abundant.
Altitude Range
0–3000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small cliff-loving swallow often nests on rock faces, in gorges, and increasingly on human structures like bridges and culverts. Its warm rufous throat is the key field mark that separates it from the widespread rock martin. Pairs or small groups frequently forage close to cliffs, making fluttering sorties to snatch insects on the wing. They readily exploit swarms of flying termites after rains.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats interspersed with glides
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or small loose groups, especially around nesting cliffs. Nests are open cups of mud attached to vertical rock or under overhangs, sometimes on buildings and bridges. Both sexes participate in nest building and feeding the young. Often maintains small colonies where ledges are abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft twittering and chirruping notes delivered in short series while foraging or perched near nest sites. Calls are high, thin chips and trills, not especially loud but constant around colonies.
Plumage
Sandy-brown upperparts with slightly darker flight feathers; underparts pale buff to sandy with a contrasting rufous throat patch. Underwing coverts dusky; tail relatively square with small pale spots on the inner webs. Overall subtly patterned, blending well with rock faces.
Diet
Feeds almost entirely on aerial insects, including flies, beetles, winged ants, and termites. Forages by hawking, sallying from cliff faces or circling over open terrain. Takes advantage of insect swarms after rain and will concentrate at termite emergences. Occasionally feeds low over water where insects accumulate.
Preferred Environment
Most often seen along cliff lines, gorges, and escarpments with nearby open areas that produce insect updrafts. Also patrols over savanna, fields, river corridors, and roads, especially near rocky ledges used as perches.
