Delichon dasypus
The Asian House Martin, *Delichon dasypus*, is a compact and agile swallow, easily identified by its glossy blue-black upperparts contrasting sharply with a pure white rump and entirely white underparts. Measuring approximately 12-14 cm in length with a wingspan of 25-30 cm and weighing 11-18 g, its relatively short, slightly forked tail and small bill are also distinctive. A unique field mark is the presence of slight feathering on its tarsi and toes, a feature shared with its genus relative...
Found primarily in mountainous regions, cliff faces, and open country, often near human settlements. Breeds from sea level up to 5,000 meters in elevation.
Strictly insectivorous, feeding primarily on small flying insects such as dipterans (flies), hymenopterans (bees, wasps, ants), coleopterans (beetles), and aphids. They capture prey on the wing through continuous aerial hawking.
Diurnal, the Asian House Martin spends most of its active hours in rapid, acrobatic flight, foraging high in the air. Roosting occurs communally, often on cliff faces, under bridges, or inside large buildings. These birds are highly social, typically nesting in colonies that can range from a few ...
The Asian House Martin boasts an extensive distribution across eastern and central Asia. Its primary breeding range extends from the Himalayas eastward through the Tibetan Plateau, much of China, Mongolia, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan, typically at higher elevations. Subspecies *D. d. cashmeri...
Least Concern
- The Asian House Martin is one of the highest-nesting swallows, found breeding at elevations up to 5,000 meters in the Himalayas. - Their nests are incredibly durable, constructed from thousands of mud pellets cemented together with the birds' own saliva. - Unlike many swallows, they often incor...