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Blurb

Common house martin

Delichon is a genus of birds in the swallow family containing four species named as house martins. These are chunky, bull-headed and short-tailed birds, blackish-blue above, with a white rump and white or grey underparts. The have feathering on their toes and tarsi. They breed in Europe, Asia and the mountains of North Africa. The common and Asian house martins, migrate south in winter, while the Nepal house martin is resident in the Himalayas year-round. House martins nest in colonies on cliffs or buildings, constructing lined mud nests and laying 2–3 white eggs; both parents build the nest, incubate the eggs and feed the chicks. These martins are aerial hunters of small insects. They are sometimes caught by fast-flying birds of prey and may carry fleas or other parasites. None of the species are considered threatened, although common house martin numbers have declined in parts of Europe due to factors including poor weather, poisoning by pesticides and competition with house sparrows for nest sites.(Full article...)