Common House-Martin
Delichon urbicum
The western house martin, sometimes called the common house martin, northern house martin or, particularly in Europe, just house martin, is a migratory passerine bird of the swallow family which breeds in Europe, north Africa and west-central Asia; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and southwestern Asia. It feeds on insects which are caught in flight, and it migrates to climates where flying insects are plentiful.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_house_martin
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Hirundinidae
Genus
Delichon
Common House-Martin belongs to the family Hirundinidae, order Passeriformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The western house martin, sometimes called the common house martin, northern house martin or, particularly in Europe, just house martin, is a migratory passerine bird of the swallow family which breeds in Europe, north Africa and west-central Asia; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and southwestern Asia. It feeds on insects which are caught in flight, and it migrates to climates where flying insects are plentiful. It has a blue head and upperparts, white rump and pure white underparts, and is found in both open country and near human habitation. It is similar in appearance to the two other martin species of the genus Delichon, which are both endemic to eastern and southern Asia. It has two accepted subspecies.
The Common House-Martin faces significant population declines across much of its range due to habitat loss, climate change impacts on insect prey availability, and reduced nesting opportunities. Agricultural intensification and urbanization have eliminated traditional mud sources and suitable nesting sites, while pesticide use has dramatically reduced aerial insect populations that form the species' primary food source.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Breeds in open countryside, farmland, and urban areas where it constructs mud nests under eaves of buildings, bridges, and cliff overhangs. Requires access to open water or wet mud for nest building materials and aerial foraging areas with abundant flying insects.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use reducing insect prey
Loss of suitable nesting sites due to modern building practices
Climate change affecting migration timing and breeding success
Habitat loss in both breeding and wintering grounds
Reduced availability of mud for nest construction
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Common House-Martin (Delichon urbicum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/common-house-martin