asian house martin asian house martin migratory bird swallow family mainly blue black white pale grey subspecies breed central eastern asia spend winter lower mountains southeast_asia species locally abundant expanding northward siberia concerns conservation status martin breeds colonies building mud nests vertical cliff wall building sexes build nest white eggs feed chicks asian house martin feeds small insects taken flight usually caught high air presence terrestrial larvae diet indicates food picked ground taxonomy asian house martin formally described bird collected borneo french naturalist shortly moved new genus british american naturalist ancient greek term meaning swallow greek rough legged martin closest relatives members genus house martin common house martin subspecies nominate subspecies described breeds eastern russia nearby islands central asian form described english specimen obtained form found south east breeding range described german specimen taken southeast china description adult asian house martin nominate subspecies long dark steel blue contrasting white grey washed white slightly tail tail brownish black grey brown legs feet brownish pink covered white feathers eyes brown bill black differences appearance sexes male somewhat female especially fresh plumage juvenile bird glossy dark brown brownish wash grey white brighter blue slightly larger nominate race smallest race subspecies distinguished similar house martin species black chin black tail asian house martin similar common house martin darker underneath deeply tail confusion likely adult male asian house paler eastern race common house martin tail western subspecies shows pronounced fork asian species song metallic twitter dry metallic syllables similar common house martin distribution habitat nominate subspecies asian house martin breeds southeast russia japan korea eastern china winter borneo philippines java sumatra birds remain hot springs japan breeds afghanistan east northwards western central china found altitude mainly range martin short range mainly lower altitudes foothills birds plains northeastern india smaller numbers burma northern thailand race breeds southeastern china southern siberia grounds unknown birds taiwan lower altitudes winter non breeding asian house martin recorded far west range overlaps house martin breed somewhat different altitudes height separation small differences appearance sufficient prevent preferred habitat asian house martin valleys mountainous areas coastal cliffs natural caves provide nest sites breed large man sites like temples hotels power stations martin tends lower altitude open hilly country areas recorded thailand behaviour breeding asian house martin cliff breeding colonies sited vertical cliff usually nests touching frequently nests large buildings temples bridges extent common house martin nest deep mud cone lined grasses feathers unlike relatives asian house martin frequently complete enclosure nest leaving open instead like deeper version barn swallow nest russian study found half nests research area open type subspecies recorded building shallow cup nest normal clutch occasionally plain white eggs averaging weighing times unknown probably similar common house martin period days eggs hatch days sexes build nest eggs feed chicks feeding martin feeds insects taken flight relatives tends feed high air taking small flies winged ants wide range insects caught including beetles presence diet terrestrial larvae indicate food picked ground predators parasites birds carry parasites external internal blood parasites asian house martin host house martin recently shown carry signs malaria predators martin appear little studied presumably similar common house martin fast flying oriental hobby chase prey flight conservation status asian house martin large range appear contracting numbers appear stable total population unknown range square kilometres mature individuals absence large decline distribution numbers species appear meet criteria considered vulnerable currently evaluated concern species locally abundant appears expanding range northwards southern siberia
Asian house martin