Common House Martin
Delichon urbicum
Conservation Status
Least ConcernAves · Passeriformes · Hirundinidae
About
The western house martin, sometimes called the common house martin, northern house martin or, particularly in Europe, just house martin, is a migratory passerine bird of the swallow family which breeds in Europe, north Africa and across the Palearctic; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia. It feeds on insects which are caught in flight, and it migrates to climates where flying insects are plentiful. It has a blue head and upperparts, white rump and pure white underparts, and is found in both open country and near human habitation. It is similar in appearance to the two other martin species of the genus Delichon, which are both endemic to eastern and southern Asia. It has two accepted subspecies.
Fun Fact
Common house martins build cup-shaped mud nests under building eaves, each requiring over 1,000 individual beakfuls of mud — and they return to the same nest site year after year.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Urban areas and open country
Diet
Insectivore
Lifespan
2-5 years
Threats
- Habitat Loss
- Climate Change