Asian House-Martin

Small, compact swallow with dark (glossy dark blue) upperparts, smudgy gray cast on whitish underparts, and bright white rump. Very similar to Northern and Nepal House-Martins, with gray-smudged underparts intermediate between the clean white belly of the former and black sides of the latter. Sometimes mistaken for House Swift when seen from above, but the chunkier shape and broader wings of the swallow are distinctive. Often nests in bustling colonies on cliffs and under the eaves of human-made structures.

The preferred habitat of the Asian house martin is valleys and gorges in mountainous areas or coastal cliffs, where natural caves or crevices provide nest sites. It will also breed on large man-made sites like temples, hotels or power stations.

Feeding. This martin feeds on insects taken in flight. As with its relatives it tends to feed high in the air, taking mostly small flies, aphids and Hymenoptera such as winged ants. A wide range of other insects are caught, including Lepidoptera, beetles and lacewings.