The Nepal House Martin (Delichon nipalense) is a non-migratory passerine of the swallow family Hirundinidae. Its two subspecies breed in the Himalayas from northwestern India through Nepal to Burma, northern Vietnam, and just into China. It occurs in river valleys and rugged wooded mountain ridges at heights between 1000–4000 m (3,300–13,200 ft) altitude, where it nests in colonies beneath overhangs on vertical cliffs, laying three or four white eggs in an enclosed mud nest.
This martin has blue-black upperparts with a contrasting white rump, and white underparts. It resembles its close relatives, the Asian House Martin and Common House Martin, but unlike those species it has a black throat and black undertail. It feeds in flocks with other swallows, catching flies and other insects in flight. It is subject to predation and parasites, but its status within its limited range appears secure.
Read more about Nepal House Martin: Taxonomy, Distribution and Habitat, Description, Conservation Status
Famous quotes containing the words house and/or martin:
“Every book is a quotation; and every house is a quotation out of all forests, and mines, and stone quarries; and every man is a quotation from all his ancestors.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“I have thought of relocating, somewhere where I’d be more appreciated. California, perhaps. I could teach earthquake preparedness.”
—Wesley Strick, U.S. screenwriter, and Martin Scorsese. Max Cady (Robert DeNiro)