The swallows, martins, and saw-wings, or Hirundinidae are a family of passerine songbirds found around the world on all continents, including occasionally in Antarctica. Highly adapted to aerial feeding, they have a distinctive appearance. The term "swallow" is used as the common name for Hirundo rustica in the UK [1] and Ireland. [2]

May 17, 2024 · From purple martins to barn swallows, find out how to spot and identify 8 types of the swallow bird family during summer.

Glistening cobalt blue above and tawny below, Barn Swallows dart gracefully over fields, barnyards, and open water in search of flying insect prey. Look for the long, deeply forked tail that streams out behind this agile flyer and sets it apart from all other North American swallows.

Feb 28, 2025 · Swallow, any of the approximately 90 species of the bird family Hirundinidae (order Passeriformes). A few, including the bank swallow, are called martins (see martin; see also woodswallow; for sea swallow, see tern).

Mar 24, 2023 · Swallows are small birds with slender, pointed wings and small beaks and feet. They typically live in open habitats, often near water.

Handsome aerialists with deep-blue iridescent backs and clean white fronts, Tree Swallows are a familiar sight in summer fields and wetlands across northern North America. They chase after flying insects with acrobatic twists and turns, their steely blue …

One of our most familiar birds in rural areas and semi-open country, this swallow is often seen skimming low over fields with a flowing, graceful flight. It seems to have adopted humans as neighbors, typically placing its nest in barns or garages, or under bridges or wharves; indeed, it is now rare to find a Barn Swallow nest in a site that is ...

The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world, occurring on all continents, with vagrants reported even in Antarctica. [2][3] It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts and a long, deeply forked tail.

Everything you should know about the Swallow. The Swallow is a group of small birds with 90 different species. These are tiny insect-eating dynamos!

Browse North American birds by shape—helpful if you don’t know exactly which type of bird you’ve seen.