Siberian House Martin
Delichon lagopodum
白腹毛脚燕
Introduction
A species of the Hirundinidae family and Delichon genus. It breeds in northeastern Russia, Mongolia, and northern China, migrating to Southeast Asia for winter. Habitat during breeding season consists of mountainous and rocky terrain. It constructs mud cup nests typical of martins. Formerly considered conspecific with the western house martin, it was separated as a distinct species based on morphological and vocal differences. Like other Delichon species, it feeds on insects in flight.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeding range extends across northeastern Russia, Mongolia, and northern China, with a preference for rocky areas and mountainous regions. The species migrates south for the boreal winter, occurring in Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The type locality was described as Dauria, a mountainous region located east of Lake Baikal in Russia.
Behavior & Ecology
As a member of the swallow family, it feeds on insects caught in flight. The species constructs cup-shaped mud nests on rock faces and cliffs during the breeding season.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Genus
- Delichon
- eBird Code
- comhom2
Distribution
breeds Siberia to Mongolia and Manchuria; winters to southern China and Thailand
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.