ID Martins and Swallows
These small, fast-flying birds can be tricky to tell apart. This guide helps you identify the Fairy Martin, Tree Martin, Welcome Swallow and White-backed Swallow using clear visual differences, with side-by-side comparisons to make ID easier.
Tap on each image to see a larger version.
Fairy Martin
A small bird with a cinnamon coloured head and a white rump.
Its call is a dry buzzing "frrrtt", which is very different from twittering of Tree Martin.
Found across Australia and also known as the Bottle Swallow.
Tree Martin
A small bird with blue-black head and back, chestnut patch above its bill and dark streaks on throat and around neck. It has a pale streaked rump. Call is a more of a twittering sound, unlike the harsh call of Fairy Martin. Found across Australia, including urban areas.
Welcome Swallow
A small bird with a blue-back head, rusty tan face, throat and upper breast, and long forked tail. Perches on fences and wires in large numbers. Call is a combination of twittering and soft warbling, with a sharp whistle in alarm. This swallow is most widspread across Australia.
White-backed Swallow
Different from the others, with its black and white appearance. Look out for its white back, white crown, white upper breast and strongly forked tail with long outer tail feathers. Lives in arid areas of Australia.
Look at the head
Fairy Martin - cinnamon head
Tree Martin - dark head
Welcome Swallow - dark head and tan forehead
Look at the rump
Fairy Martin - white rump
Tree Martin - mottled white rump
Welcome Swallow - dark rump
Podcast episodes
Learn more about martins and swallows in this Weekend Birder podcast episode: