C. M. Saunders and G. G. Webbon
| ON 3 OCTOBER 1996 a Banded Martin Riparia cincta was observed associating with a flock of hirundines - composed of Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica and Sand Martins Riparia riparia - feeding over alfafa fields about four km south of the southern limit of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bird was first noticed when the flock settled on an electricity cable, where it appeared noticeably bulkier than both other species perched on the same wire. The bird was watched for several minutes, through binoculars and a telescope, at a range of c. 15 metres. | |
| Description | Seen from behind, the bird appeared bulkier than an adjacent Sand Martin, although similarly proportioned. The general coloration was earth-brown, whilst the tail was square-tipped. When viewed from the side and front, the similarity to Sand Martin was reinforced by the overall proportions, shape and size of the head and bill and their coloration. It was estimated to be at least 2.5 cm longer than Sand Martin. The underparts were white, excepting a brown breast band. The main differentiating feature - a white triangular shaped patch above the eye - was clearly seen. When subsequently observed in flight, its pattern was straight and parallel to the ground, with the wingbeats deeper and slower than in Sand Martin. No calls were heard. |
| Reference to Hollom et al. (1988) clearly identified the bird as Banded Martin, due to the bird's size, tail shape, flight method, underparts pattern (although we did not note the white underwing-coverts) and white area above the eye. This is the first record in Saudi Arabia of a species which is a widespread resident and intra-African migrant, from Ethiopia south to Zambia and Malawi (Keith et al. 1992). There is one previous record in the Middle East: one at Bajil, Yemen in March 1982 (Cornwallis & Porter 1982). | |
| REFERENCES | CORNWALLIS, L. AND PORTER, R. F. (1982) Spring observations on the birds of North Yemen. Sandgrouse 4: 1-36. HOLLAM, P. A. D., PORTER, R. F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND WILLIS, I. (1988) Birds of the Middle East and North Africa. T. & A. D. Poyser, Calton. KEITH, S., URBAN, E. K. AND FRY, C. H. (eds.) (1992) The birds of Africa. Vol. 4. Academic Press, London.
C. M. Saunders, Myrtle Place, Gosford Lane, Ottery St. Mary, Devon EX11 1NA, U.K. |
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