Key information
The house martin is a small bird with glossy blue-black upper parts and pure white under parts. It has a distinctive white rump with a forked tail and, on close inspection, white feathers covering its legs and toes. It spends much of its time on the wing collecting insect prey. The bird's mud nest is usually sited below the eaves of buildings. They are summer migrants and spend their winters in Africa. Although still numerous and widespread, recent moderate declines earn them a place on the Amber List.
What they eat:
Insects.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 12cm
- Wingspan:
- 26-29cm
- Weight:
- 15-23g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 510,000 pairs
Identifying features:
House martin
