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 Vatnajokull National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Vatnajokull National Park
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Redwing
Turdus iliacus
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammea
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensis
White Wagtail
Motacilla alba
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalis
Goldcrest
Regulus regulus
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytes
Eurasian Blackbird
Turdus merula
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Northern Wheatear
Oenanthe oenanthe
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.