Crag Martins

Crag martins are lovely birds that you can see in the Alps in Spring and Summer.

Crag Martins: Classification

The crag martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) belongs to the family of swallows and martins (Hirundinidae).

Crag Martins: Distribution

Crag martins are present all year round in parts of Spain, southern Europe, and north Africa. Those that come to the French Alps to breed will leave in winter.

Crag Martins: Description & Behaviour

Crag martin resting

Like other swallows and martins, crag martins are adapted for life in the air, catching insects by fast, agile flight.

They are brown in colour, and greyish brownish white on the breast. The covert feathers of the wings are dark, and there are small, white 'windows' on the tail feathers.

Crag martins nest in caves, and cavities on cliff faces. They also use buildings.

In Val Thorens, a pair nested on the underside of a raised passageway. They defended their nest by 'buzzing' or dive-bombing people (and dogs) walking on the road underneath when they felt that these potential predators were too close. This involved repeatedly flying within centimetres of the person's head, while making a characteristic 'tshir' sound.

Similarly, Alpine choughs nesting nearby were successfully harried and chased away when they took an interest in the crag martin nest.