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For other uses, see Swallow (disambiguation).
Swallows and Martins
Welcome Swallow
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Suborder: Passeri
Family: Hirundinidae
Vigors, 1825
Genera

Many, see text. The Welcome Swallow ( Hirundo neoxena) is a small Passerine Bird in the Swallow family Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Birds ( class Aves) are bipedal endothermic ( Warm-blooded) Vertebrate animals that lay eggs. SongBird is a Dutch Record label owned by Tijs Verwest and Arny Bink Nicholas Aylward Vigors (1785 &ndash October 26, 1840) was an Irish Zoologist and Politician.

The swallows and martins are a group of passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae which are characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Birds ( class Aves) are bipedal endothermic ( Warm-blooded) Vertebrate animals that lay eggs. Swallow is also used in Europe as a synonym for the Barn Swallow. The Barn Swallow ( Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of Swallow in the world

This family comprises two subfamilies: Pseudochelidoninae (the river martins of the genus Pseudochelidon) and Hirundininae (all other swallows and martins). The river martins are a distinct subfamily Pseudochelidoninae within the Swallow and martin Bird family Hirundinidae 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. [1]

It is believed that this family originated in Africa as hole-nesters; Africa still has the greatest diversity of species. [1]

Contents

Description

Swallows have adapted to hunting insects on the wing by developing a slender streamlined body, and long pointed wings, which allows great manoeuvrability and endurance.

Like the unrelated swifts and nightjars, which hunt in a similar way, they have short bills, but strong jaws and a wide gape. The swifts are a family Apodidae, of highly aerial Birds They are superficially similar to Swallows but are actually not closely related to those This article is about the bird For the aircraft see Gloster Nightjar. Their body length ranges from about 10–24 cm (3. 9–9. 4 in) and their weight from about 10–60 g (0. 4–2. 1 oz). The wings are long, pointed, and have nine primary feathers. The tail has 12 feathers and may be deeply forked, somewhat indented, or square-ended. A long tail increases manoeuvrability, and may also function as a sexual adornment, since the tail is frequently longer in males. Female Barn Swallows will select mates on the basis of tail length. The Barn Swallow ( Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of Swallow in the world

The legs are short, and their feet are designed for perching rather than walking, as the front toes are partially joined at the base, causing the bird to display a waddling gait.

The most common hirundine plumage is glossy dark blue or green above and plain or streaked underparts, often white or rufous. Species which burrow or live in dry or mountainous areas are often unglossed brown above (eg Sand Martin and Crag Martin). A burrow is a hole or tunnel dug into the ground by an Animal to create a space suitable for habitation temporary refuge or as a byproduct of locomotion The Sand Martin ( Riparia riparia) is a migratory Passerine Bird in the Swallow family The Crag Martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris, is a small Passerine Bird in the Swallow family The sexes show no, or only limited, sexual dimorphism, with longer outer tail feathers in the adult male probably being the commonest distinction where one exists. Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference in form between individuals of different Sex in the same Species.

The chicks hatch naked and with closed eyes. Fledged juveniles usually appear as duller versions of the adult.

Habitat

Mud nests made by swallows.
Mud nests made by swallows.
Hungry Barn Swallow chicks in nest
Hungry Barn Swallow chicks in nest

Swallows typically build mud nests close to overhead shelter in locations that are protected from both the weather and predators. Many cave and cliff dwelling species of swallow nest in large colonies. In historical times, the introduction of man-made stone structures such as barns and bridges, together with forest clearance, has led to an abundance of colony sites around the globe, significantly increasing the breeding ranges of some species. Birds living in large colonies typically have to contend with both ectoparasites and conspecific nest parasitism. Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between Organisms of different Species. Old males benefit most from coloniality, since they are able to maintain their own nests and benefit from frequent extra-pair copulations.

Behaviour

Barn Swallow chicks waiting to be fed
Barn Swallow chicks waiting to be fed

Swallows are excellent fliers, and use these skills to attract a mate and to defend territory. In general, the males select a nest site, and then attract a female using song and flight, and guard their territory. The size of the territory varies depending on the species of swallow; in colonial-nesting species it tends to be small, but it may be much larger for solitary nesters. The air speed of an unladen European swallow is estimated to be roughly 24 miles per hour (39 km/h). [2]

Pairs of mated swallows are monogamous,[3] and pairs of non-migratory species often stay near their breeding area all year, though the nest site is defended most vigorously during the breeding season. Migratory species often return to the same breeding area each year, and may select same nest site if they were previously successful in that location. First-year breeders generally select a nesting site close to where they were born and raised. [4]

Most species hunt over open country or near water.

Swallows are able to produce many different calls or songs, which are used to express excitement, to communicate with others of the same species, during courtship, or as an alarm when a predator is in the area. Begging calls are used by the young when soliciting food from their parents. The typical song of swallows is a simple, sometimes musical twittering.

Species in taxonomic order

Subfamily Pseudochelidoninae (river martins)
Subfamily Hirundininae (all other swallows & martins)

References

  1. ^ a b Turner, Angela; Rose, Chris (1989). The river martins are a distinct subfamily Pseudochelidoninae within the Swallow and martin Bird family Hirundinidae The African River Martin ( Pseudochelidon eurystomina) is a Passerine Bird of the Swallow family Hirundinidae The White-eyed River Martin ( Pseudochelidon sirintarae, sometimes Eurochelidon sirintarae) is a Passerine Bird, one of two members of the UserPolbot. --> The Grey-rumped Swallow ( Pseudhirundo griseopyga) is a species of Bird in the UserPolbot. --> The Grey-rumped Swallow ( Pseudhirundo griseopyga) is a species of Bird in the The White-backed Swallow, Cheramoeca leucosternus, is a Bird in the Hirundinidae family endemic to Australia. The White-backed Swallow, Cheramoeca leucosternus, is a Bird in the Hirundinidae family endemic to Australia. UserPolbot. --> Phedina is a genus of Bird in the Hirundinidae family UserPolbot. -->The Mascarene Martin ( Phedina borbonica) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae Brazza's Martin ( Phedina brazzae) is a Songbird Species in the family Hirundinidae. Riparia is a small genus of Passerine Birds in the Swallow family The Brown-throated Sand Martin, Brown-throated Martin or Plain Martin, Riparia paludicola, is a small Passerine Bird in the The Congo Sand Martin, Riparia congica, is a small Passerine Bird in the Swallow family The Sand Martin ( Riparia riparia) is a migratory Passerine Bird in the Swallow family The Sand Martin ( Riparia riparia) is a migratory Passerine Bird in the Swallow family The Banded Martin or Banded Sand Martin, Riparia cincta, is a small passerine bird in the swallow family Tachycineta ( Greek: tachýs 'swift' kīnéō 'move' is a genus of Birds in the Swallow family The Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor, is a migratory Passerine Bird that breeds in North America and winters in Mexico The Violet-green Swallow, Tachycineta thalassina, is a small swallow. The Golden Swallow ( Tachycineta euchrysea) is a Swallow native to Jamaica and Hispaniola, though it is considered by some ornithologists The Bahama Swallow ( Tachycineta cyaneoviridis) is a Swallow endemic to the Bahamas. UserPolbot. -->The Tumbes Swallow ( Tachycineta stolzmanni) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae The Mangrove Swallow, Tachycineta albilinea, is a Passerine Bird that breeds in coastal regions from Mexico through Central America The White-winged Swallow, Tachycineta albiventer, is a resident breeding Bird in tropical South America from Colombia, Venezuela UserPolbot. -->The White-rumped Swallow ( Tachycineta leucorrhoa) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The Chilean Swallow ( Tachycineta meyeni) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae Progne is a Genus of Birds It contains the American blue martins The Purple Martin ( Progne subis) is the largest North American Swallow at 20 cm length The Caribbean Martin or White-bellied Martin, Progne dominicensis, is a large swallow. The Caribbean Martin or White-bellied Martin, Progne dominicensis, is a large swallow. UserPolbot. -->The Sinaloa Martin ( Progne sinaloae) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae The Gray-breasted Martin, Progne chalybea, is a large swallow. UserPolbot. -->The Galápagos Martin ( Progne modesta) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. --> The Peruvian Martin ( Progne murphyi) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. --> The Southern Martin ( Progne elegans) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The Brown-chested Martin ( Progne tapera) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. --> Notiochelidon is a genus of Birds in the Hirundinidae family UserPolbot. -->The Brown-bellied Swallow ( Notiochelidon murina) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae The Blue-and-white Swallow, Notiochelidon cyanoleuca, is a Passerine Bird that breeds from Nicaragua south throughout South UserPolbot. --> The Pale-footed Swallow ( Notiochelidon flavipes) is a species of Bird in the UserPolbot. -->The Black-capped Swallow ( Notiochelidon pileata) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The Andean Swallow ( Haplochelidon andecola) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The Andean Swallow ( Haplochelidon andecola) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. --> Atticora is a genus of Bird in the Hirundinidae family UserPolbot. -->The White-banded Swallow ( Atticora fasciata) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The Black-collared Swallow ( Atticora melanoleuca) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The White-thighed Swallow ( Neochelidon tibialis) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The White-thighed Swallow ( Neochelidon tibialis) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae Stelgidopteryx ( Baird, 1858) is a small genus of swallows. It contains two species Northern Rough-winged Swallow The Northern Rough-winged Swallow ( Stelgidopteryx serripennis) is a small swallow. The Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis, is a small swallow. UserPolbot. --> The Tawny-headed Swallow ( Alopochelidon fucata) is a species of Bird in the UserPolbot. --> The Tawny-headed Swallow ( Alopochelidon fucata) is a species of Bird in the The Bird genus Hirundo is a group of Passerines in the family Hirundinidae (swallows and martins The Barn Swallow ( Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of Swallow in the world The Red-chested Swallow ( Hirundo lucida) is a small non-migratory Passerine Bird found in Africa in West Africa the Congo UserPolbot. --> The Angola Swallow ( Hirundo angolensis) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae The Pacific Swallow or Hill Swallow ( Hirundo tahitica) is a small passerine Bird in the swallow family. The Welcome Swallow ( Hirundo neoxena) is a small Passerine Bird in the Swallow family The White-throated Swallow ( Hirundo albigularis) is a Swallow which breeds in southern Africa from Angola and Zambia southwards UserPolbot. -->The Ethiopian Swallow ( Hirundo aethiopica) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae The Wire-tailed Swallow ( Hirundo smithii) is a small passerine Bird in the swallow family. UserPolbot. -->The White-throated Blue Swallow ( Hirundo nigrita) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The Pied-winged Swallow ( Hirundo leucosoma) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The White-tailed Swallow ( Hirundo megaensis) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae The Pearl-breasted Swallow ( Hirundo dimidiata) is a small Swallow. The Blue Swallow ( Hirundo atrocaerulea) is a small passerine Bird in the swallow family. UserPolbot. -->The Black-and-rufous Swallow ( Hirundo nigrorufa) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae Ptyonoprogne is a genus of small Passerine Birds in the Swallow family The Crag Martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris, is a small Passerine Bird in the Swallow family The Rock Martin, ( Ptyonoprogne fuligula, syn Hirundo fuligula) is a small Passerine Bird in the Swallow family The Dusky Crag Martin ( Ptyonoprogne concolor) is a species of Swallow which is a resident breeding bird in South Asia. Delichon ( Anagram of the Ancient Greek term χελιδον / chelidôn, swallow is a Genus of Passerine The House Martin ( Delichon urbicum) sometimes called the Northern House Martin or Common House Martin, is a migratory Passerine The Asian House Martin ( Delichon dasypus) is a migratory Passerine Bird of the Swallow family Hirundinidae The Nepal House Martin ( Delichon nipalensis) is a migratory Passerine of the family Hirundinidae Cecropis is a genus of large Swallows found in Africa and tropical Asia. The Greater Striped Swallow ( Hirundo cucullata syn Cecropis cucullata) is a large Swallow. The Lesser Striped Swallow ( Hirundo abyssinica syn Cecropis abyssinica) is a large Swallow. The Rufous-chested Swallow ( Cecropis semirufa, syn Hirundo semirufa) is a large swallow. The Mosque Swallow ( Cecropis senegalensis, syn Hirundo senegalensis) is a large swallow. The Red-rumped Swallow ( Cecropis daurica) is a small Passerine Bird in the swallow family The Striated Swallow ( Hirundo striolata) is a species of Swallow found in open often hilly areas clearings and cultivation in South and Southeast The Striated Swallow ( Hirundo striolata) is a species of Swallow found in open often hilly areas clearings and cultivation in South and Southeast Petrochelidon is a genus of Birds which includes the following species of cliff-nesting Swallows Species in taxonomic order UserPolbot. -->The Red-throated Swallow ( Hirundo rufigula) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The Preuss's Swallow ( Hirundo preussi) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The Red Sea Swallow ( Hirundo perdita) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The South African Swallow ( Hirundo spilodera) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae UserPolbot. -->The Forest Swallow ( Hirundo fuliginosa) is a species of Bird in the Hirundinidae The Streak-throated Swallow or the Indian Cliff Swallow ( Hirundo fluvicola) is a species of swallow found in South Asia. The Fairy Martin ( Petrochelidon ariel) is a member of the Swallow family of Passerine Birds which breeds in Australia. The Tree Martin ( Petrochelidon nigricans) is a member of the Swallow family of Passerine Birds It breeds in Australia, mostly south The Cliff Swallow ( Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) is a member of the Passerine Bird family Hirundinidae — the swallows and martins The Cave Swallow, Petrochelidon fulva, belonging to the same genus as the more familiar and widespread Cliff Swallow of North America, occurs in UserPolbot. -->The Chestnut-collared Swallow ( Petrochelidon rufocollaris) is a species of Bird in the Swallows and martins: an identification guide and handbook. Houghton-Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-51174-7.  
  2. ^ style.org > Estimating the Airspeed Velocity of an Unladen Swallow
  3. ^ Hirundinidae
  4. ^ Swallows (Hirundinidae): Information and Much More from Answers.com

External links

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