House Martin
Delichon urbicum
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyHirundinidae (Swallows and Martins)
- GenusDelichon (House Martins)
- SpeciesDelichon urbicum (House Martin)
About the House Martin
The western house martin (Delichon urbicum), 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 west-central Asia; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and southwestern 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.
Both the scientific and colloquial name of the bird are related to its use of human-made structures. It builds a closed cup nest from mud pellets under eaves or similar locations on buildings usually in colonies. It is hunted by the Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo), and like other birds is affected by internal parasites and external fleas and mites. Its large range and population mean that it is not threatened globally.
The western house martin... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of House Martin in Tarangire National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Tarangire National Park
Lesser Striped-Swallow
Cecropis abyssinica
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Mosque Swallow
Cecropis senegalensis
Wire-tailed Swallow
Hirundo smithii
Rock Martin
Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Plain Martin
Riparia paludicola
Bank Swallow
Riparia riparia
Banded Martin
Riparia cincta
Black Sawwing
Psalidoprocne pristoptera
White-headed Sawwing
Psalidoprocne albiceps
Angola Swallow
Hirundo angolensis
Gray-rumped Swallow
Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a House Martin in Tarangire National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a House Martin sighting in Tarangire National Park, based on 19 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see House Martin in Tarangire National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for House Martin in Tarangire National Park in our monthly data.