Madagascar Martin
Riparia cowani
Madagascar Martin (Riparia cowani) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Madagascar Martin (Riparia cowani) is a member of the Hirundinidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 13.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Hirundinidae Swallows, Martins
- Genus Riparia
- Species cowani
Quick facts
- Weight
- 13.5 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Madagascar Martin is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Madagascar Martin is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Madagascar Martin (Riparia cowani) is a species of bird in the Hirundinidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane e Madagascar.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 13.5 g, with a wing length of about 10.1 cm and a tail of around 4.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 204,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Madagascar Martin?
The Madagascar Martin is a very small bird that weighs around 13.5 g.
Where does the Madagascar Martin live?
The Madagascar Martin is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane e Madagascar, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Madagascar Martin belong to?
The Madagascar Martin (Riparia cowani) belongs to the Hirundinidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Madagascar Martin eat?
The Madagascar Martin is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Madagascar Martin migrate?
The Madagascar Martin is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Madagascar Martin endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Madagascar Martin's range?
The Madagascar Martin has a mapped global range of about 204,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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