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Gray-breasted martin        Images © Mark A. Chappell

Gray-breasted martins are large swallows that are quite similar to the purple martin that breeds in North America.   Males are glossy blue-black above, while females are dark gray-brown (the female at upper left is gathering nesting material while her mate, at right, watches).   The male below is flaunting a leaf, perhaps in courtship.   I took these photos in Gamboa, Panama.

  • Canon 30D, 500 mm IS lens with 1.4X or 2X converter and fill-in flash (2006)