Asian House Martin

Delichon dasypus

Family: Swallows · Status: Uncommon migrant · Size: 12–13 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds in southern and eastern Eurasia; winters across Southeast Asia.

Identification

Blue-black tail and upperparts extending to the head as a cap. Underparts, face and rump white. Told apart from Barn, Pacific and Red-rumped Swallow by unstreaked all white underparts and white rump; from Sand Martin by blue-black rather than brown upperparts and prominent white rump. Told apart from very similar Siberian House Martin by less extensive white rump that does not extend to the upper tail coverts.

Habitat

Open areas and forest edges; often forages aerially over open ground and at forest margins.

Behaviour

Feeds aerially in flocks with a slow flap-and-glide flight; forages high up, taking small aerial insects.