Plain Martin

Latin Name: 
Riparia paludicola
Category: 
Martins, Swallows
Size: 
12cm
Description: 

Sexes alike. Long wings and slight tail-fork. Grey-brown above, slightly darker on crown; dark brown wings and tail; dull grey below, whiter towards abdomen. A gregarious species, always in flocks, flying around sand-banks along water courses; individual birds occasionally stray far and high; hawks small insects in flight; flocks perch on telegraph wires.

Habitat: 
vicinity of water, sandbanks, sandy cliffsides.
Distribution: 
NW and N India, from outer Himalaya, south at least to line from vicinity of Mumbai-Nasik to C Orissa; moves considerably locally.
Call: 
Call Description: 
A brret… call, rather harsh in tone, usually on the wing around nest colony; twittering song.
IUCN: 
Least Concern
National Status: 
widespread resident
At IITK: 
very local resident