Hirundinidae

This article is about the bird, the swallow. For the village of Swallow in England, see Swallow, Lincolnshire
Swallows and Martins
Welcome Swallow
Welcome Swallow
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Passeriformes
Family:Hirundinidae
Genera

Many, see text.

The bird family Hirundinidae is a group of passerines characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding, and known as swallows and martins. The family comprises two subfamilies: Pseudochelidoninae (the river martins of the genus Pseudochelidon) and Hirundininae (all other swallows and martins). Within the Hirundiniae, the name martin tends to be used for the squarer-tailed species, and the name swallow for the more fork-tailed species; however, there is no scientific distinction between these two groups.

Their adaptations to hunting insects on the wing are a slender streamlined body, and long pointed wings. Like the unrelated swifts and nightjars, which hunt in a similar way, they have short bills, but a wide gape.

The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Many species have long tails.

Subfamily Pseudochelidoninae (River martins)

Subfamily Hirundininae (all other swallows & martins)

See also

da:Svaler de:Schwalben eo:Hirundo ko:참새과 nl:Zwaluw pl:Jaskółkowate pt:Andorinha zh:燕科

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