house martin house martin non migratory swallow family subspecies breed northwestern india burma northern vietnam china occurs river valleys rugged wooded mountain ridges heights altitude nests colonies beneath vertical cliffs laying white eggs enclosed mud nest martin blue black contrasting white white resembles close relatives asian house martin common house martin unlike species black throat black feeds flocks catching flies insects flight subject predation parasites status limited range appears secure taxonomy house martin described british placed new genus created moore american naturalist specimen description attributed moore early literature refers martin older taxonomic sources specify author moore closest relatives members genus asian house martin common house martin martin distinctive subspecies described american biologist specimen taken near burma border white birds southern extension range similar appearance nominate subspecies geographical separation considered race ancient greek term meaning swallow refers type specimen obtained distribution habitat nominate subspecies breeds east northeastern india bangladesh far western burma race found northern burma burma border chinese northern vietnam house martin largely resident lower altitudes breeding occasionally recorded northern thailand winter range thailand poorly known habitat river valleys wooded ridges altitude mainly breeding birds descend low range species overlaps nominate subspecies asian house martin breed different altitudes height separation small differences appearance sufficient prevent description adult house martin long mainly blue black white contrasting pure white tail brownish black grey brown legs feet brownish pink covered white feathers eyes brown bill black chin black extent varies northeast range birds race black throat breast west south black increasingly restricted chin differences appearance sexes juvenile bird glossy throat buff washed eastern form wing length slightly larger nominate subspecies subspecies distinguished similar asian common house black chin black tail exceptionally fast flying martin gives occasional short flight quiet bird brief note breeding song behaviour breeding house martin breeds march july variation timing depending locality usually raises normally builds nest deep mud bowl lined grasses feathers vertical cliff occasionally buildings nest sites bird recorded nesting school roofs near wildlife sanctuary martin colonial colonies containing hundreds nests birds remain colonies year nests winter normal clutch plain white eggs averaging weighing times unknown probably similar common house martin period days eggs hatch days sexes build nest eggs feed chicks feeding house martin feeds insects taken flight hunting ridges diet known includes flies bird feeding flocks aerial predators like barn swallow swallow common house martin predators parasites predators martin little studied bird recorded study diet mainly genus conservation status house martin large range appear contracting numbers appear stable population unknown range square kilometres mature individuals absence large decline distribution numbers species appear meet criteria considered vulnerable currently evaluated concern requirement suitable cliff nesting sites species fairly common common regions earlier authors noted species uncommon
Nepal house martin