Delichon
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Delichon (anagram of the Ancient Greek term χελιδον/chelidôn, swallow)[1] is a genus of passerine birds in the swallow family, which currently has three species referred to it.
Description
Delichon martins are 12-13 cm long, steel blue above with a white rump, and with white or grey underparts. The species can be distinguished by underpart colour and the presence or absence of a black throat.
Behaviour
Delichon martins are cliff nesters, breeding in colonies sited under an overhang on a vertical cliff. However, the House Martin now largely uses human structures, as, to a lesser extent, does the Asian House Martin. The nest is a deep mud bowl lined with grasses or feathers. Three or four white eggs are the normal clutch, and this species is double-brooded. Both sexes build the nest, incubate the eggs and feed the chicks.
These martins feed on insects taken in flight.
Species
The House Martin (Delichon urbicum) is a migrant breeder found in open country and around human habitation across Europe, north Africa and temperate Asia, wintering in tropical Africa, southern China and Southeast Asia.
The Asian House Martin (Delichon dasypus) breeds in the mountains of central and eastern Asia and winters in Southeast Asia.
The Nepal House Martin (Delichon nipalense) is resident in the mountains of southern Asia.
Notes
References
- Turner, Angela K; Rose, Chris (1989). A handbook to the swallows and martins of the world. Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7470-3202-5.
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Delichon". Image Credit.
