About Progne dominicensis (Gmelin, 1789)
This species has the scientific name Progne dominicensis (Gmelin, 1789), and is commonly called the Caribbean martin. Adult Caribbean martins measure 18.5 cm in length, weigh 40 g, and have a forked tail and relatively broad wings. Adult males are glossy blue-black with contrasting white lower underparts. Females and juveniles are duller in color than males, with grey-brown breast and flanks and white lower underparts. This martin breeds throughout the Caribbean, except on Cuba and Isla de la Juventud, where the related Cuban martin (P. cryptoleuca) replaces it. It is closely related to the Cuban martin, as well as the Sinaloa martin (P. sinaloae), and it was previously considered to be conspecific with the Sinaloa martin. There are confirmed sight records of Caribbean martins on mainland Central and South America, and most individuals appear to migrate to the South American mainland. One single individual was recorded in Key West, Florida, on May 9, 1895 (AOU 2000).
