Delichon urbica - House Martin
Feather characters. Barbules are rather short (0.62-0.69 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and partly pigmented (less than 50%) internodes. Distally, pigment gets less concentrated and is often stippled. Bell-shaped nodes are equally distributed along the proximal part of the barbules (22-26 per mm). Nodes gradually or abruptly decrease in size towards the distal end until only slightly thickened. Villi are rounded and internodes are straight. Prongs are absent. Barbules have this typical structure for Passeriformes; pigmented, bell-shaped nodes combined with rounded villi.
Field characters. Size 12.5 cm. Weight 14.5 g (10.3-19.8) (Dunning, 1993). Easy to identify by black-and-white plumage and large white rump patch. Upperparts glossy black, underparts completely white, as is white rump. Usually seen in flocks, but singles occur on migration. Flies often higher than Barn Swallow.
Voice. Dry chuttering 'prit'. Song chattering without much musical quality.
Distribution. Common summer visitor. Locally declining. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Builds nest under roof edges, bridges etc., sometimes in rock crevices. Sometimes found in huge colonies in villages.
Food. Airborne invertebrates.