Chelidon urbica; Print; The common house martin (Delichon urbicum); sometimes called the 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 temperate Asia; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical 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.; skeleton