Galapagos Species Database

The Galapagos Species Database shares the information about the species from our Natural History Collections.

Progne modesta Gould, 1838

Martín de Galápagos, Golondrina de Galápagos, Galapagos Martin

Galapagos Martin. Photo: David Anchundia, CDF.
Galapagos Martin. Photo: David Anchundia, CDF.

The only resident member of the family Hirundinidae. 15 cm, males almost entirely black, with a bluish sheen, and slightly paler underwings; females are similar but a duller dark brown instead of blue back. The wings are pointed, and the tail is narrow with a shallow fork. Flight is a series of quick wingbeats followed by a glide.

Taxonomy

Domain
Eukaryota

Kingdom
Animalia

Phylum
Chordata

Class
Aves

Order
Passeriformes

Family
Hirundinidae

Genus
Progne

Species
modesta

Taxon category: Accepted

Syn.: Progne modesta modesta Gould, 1838, Hirundo modesta Neboux, 1840, Hirundo concolor Gould, 1837, Progne concolor Salvin, 1876

Taxon origin: Endemic

Status

Endangered

Ecology

Habitat preferences: Can be found mainly in areas of mangroves, close to cliffs either on the coast or on the rim of volcanoes in the highlands.

Feeding type: Insectivorous

Feeds on insects caught in flight.

Trophic role: Carnivorous

Reproduction mode: Exclusively sexual

Reproductive biology: Nests between August and March, laying two or three white eggs in holes and crevices.

Distribution

Distribution: Occurs in very small numbers throughout the archipelago, except the northermost islands.

References

  • Wiedenfeld, D.A. (2006) Aves, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Check List 2006 2(2): 1-27.
  • Jiménez-Uzcátegui, G. Milstead, B., Márquez, C., Zabala, J., Buitrón, P., Llerena, A., et al. (2007) Galapagos vertebrates: endangered status and conservation actions. Galapagos Report 2006–2007. Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, p. 104–110.
  • Harris, M.P. (1973) The Galápagos avifauna. Condor 75(3): 265-278.
  • Gifford, E.W. (1913) The birds of the Galápagos Islands, with observations on the birds of Cocos and Clipperton Islands (Columbiformes to Pelicaniformes). Expedition of the California Academy of Science, 1905 -1906. Part VIII. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, ser. 4, 2(1): 1-132.
  • Salvin, O. (1876) On the avifauna of the Galápagos Archipelago. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London 9: 447-510.
  • Sundevall, C.J. (1871) On birds from the Galápagos Islands. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1871: 124-129.
  • Castro, I. Phillips, A. (1996) A Guide to the Birds of the Galapagos Islands. Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd., London.
  • Swarth, H.S. (1931) The Avifauna of the Galapagos Islands. Occ. Pap. Calif. Acad. Sci. 18: 1-299.
  • Wiedenfeld, D.A. Jiménez-Uzcátegui, G. (2008) Critical problems for bird conservation in the Galapagos Island. Cotinga 29: 22-27.
  • Hickin, N. (1979) Animal life of the Galapagos. Ferundune Books, Faringdon, U.K., 236 pp.
  • Bisconti, M. Landini, W., Bianucci, G., Cantalamessa, G., Carnevale, G. Ragaini, L. & Valleri, G. (2001) Biogeographic relationships of the Galapagos terrestrial biota: parsimony analyses of endemicity based on reptiles, land birds and Scalesia land plants. J. Biogeogr. 28: 495-510.
  • IUCN (2015) The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015-4. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 November 2015.
  • Freile, J.F. Santander, T., Jiménez-Uzcátegui, G., Carrasco, L., Cisneros-Heredia, D., Guevara, E., Sánchez-Nivicela, M., Tinoco, B. (2019) Lista Roja de las aves del Ecuador Quito, Ecuador. 97 pp.