Hirundinidae - Swallows, Martins
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There are around 82 bird species in this family. They have short, wide bills; short legs; and small, weak feet. Their bodies are long and slender and they have long, pointed wings. Many species have long, forked tails and feathers with a metallic shine on their uppersides and lighter feathers on their undersides. Most species are four to nine inches in length. In most species, males and females look alike.
Bird species in this family are found all over the world. Birds in this family eat insects and they catch their prey in the air. Many species, like the barn swallow, have adapted to living near humans. Barn swallows often use barns and other buildings as nesting sites. Most species in this family live and travel in flocks and all of the species in North America migrate.
Hirundinidae Photo Gallery
World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.
US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Breeds in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game
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