Western House-Martin

1 day ago door David CUTLER

Points: 35

Spotted

The Common House Martin is a neat, compact swallow characterized by its glossy blue-black upperparts, pure white underparts, and a prominent white rump. It's a familiar sight in towns and villages, nesting on buildings.

Where to spot

Breeds across most of Europe, temperate Asia, and parts of North Africa. Winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia. Strongly associated with human habitation and open farmland.

How to spot

Easily identified by its striking contrast of blue-black upperparts and pure white underparts, especially the bright white rump. Its flight is direct and graceful as it hunts insects. Look for their distinctive cup-shaped mud nests under eaves of houses and other buildings.

When to spot

Present in breeding grounds from spring to early autumn. Large migratory flocks can be seen during spring and autumn passage. Absent during winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where to spot

Breeds across most of Europe, temperate Asia, and parts of North Africa. Winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia. Strongly associated with human habitation and open farmland.

How to spot

When to spot

Present in breeding grounds from spring to early autumn. Large migratory flocks can be seen during spring and autumn passage. Absent during winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Credits: Maico Weites

Credits: Harry-Harms

Credits: Door sanchezn - Eigen werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23582376

House Martins build their nests from mud pellets collected from puddles and ditches, cementing them to the eaves of buildings. A single nest can contain over a thousand mud pellets.

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