Crag martin

    Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Castilian: Avión roquero

Catalan: Roquerol

Gallego: Andoriña dos penedos

Euskera: Haitz-enara

CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Passeriformes

Family: Hirundinidae

Migratory status: Permanent resident

CONSERVATION STATUS:

On the National List of Threatened Species, it appears in the “Of Special Interest” category. In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Not Evaluated”.

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THREATS

Although it is not too threatened, the use of pesticides and the elimination of its breeding areas represent a problem; it can also be affected in winter by the destruction of wetlands.

Length / size: 14 cm / 33 cm

Identification: It is the largest of all Spanish swallows. Its legs and bill are very short, and its tail is not forked and has a line of white spots that is visible when the tail is open. Its back is dark brown, its underparts are lighter, its wings are long and pointed and stand out during flight because of their almost black colour underneath and towards the back; its throat is whitish with dark streaks. It is usually seen in large groups.

Song: It makes a simple "prrt".

Diet: It primarily feeds on flies, mosquitos and small beetles, which it captures by gliding near cliffs and in the sunniest areas during winter.

Reproduction: The breeding period begins in May, and the species nests alone or in small colonies, sometimes mixing with the red-rumped swallow, common house martin, and/or alpine swift. The nest is an open cup made of mud, placed in a crack or on a ledge, and built or repaired by both adults. The female incubates the eggs.

HABITAT

It occupies steep areas, such as rocky limestone areas. To a lesser extent, it can be found in man-made structures, such as dams, bridges, tunnel, and even buildings. In winter it moves to lower altitudes and establishes itself near water, in both coastal and inland areas. It usually breeds from sea level up to an elevation of 2,500 metres.

DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: It is distributed throughout the peninsula, Majorca and Minorca.

In Castile and León: It is distributed throughout the mountainous areas and river canyons in the community, but is absent or rare in pastureland in the interior of the community. The most important breeding sites for important concentrations are found in Alto Ebro, Montañas de Burgos and Peñas de Cervera (Burgos) and Arribes del Duero (Salamanca-Zamora).

Movements and migrations: It is a partially migratory species that abandons areas with harsh winter climates in favour of coastal and river areas, making altitudinal movements. Part of the Iberian population goes to northern Africa, while we receive wintering specimens from central Europe. The migratory flow in the Strait of Gibraltar takes place between February-April and September-November.

POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of 50000-150000 breeding pairs.

In Castile and León: