Swallows and Martins
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Hirundinidae
The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Niger.
- Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
- Plain Martin Riparia paludicola
- Banded Martin Riparia cincta (A)
- Gray-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga (A)
- Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
- Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
- Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida
- Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica
- Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
- Pied-winged Swallow Hirundo leucosoma
- Lesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica
- Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa
- Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis
- Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
- Preuss's Swallow Petrochelidon preussi
- Common House-Martin Delichon urbica
- Fanti Sawwing Psalidoprocne obscura (A)
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Niger
Famous quotes containing the word swallows:
“Work—work—work,
In the dull December light,
And work—work—work,
When the weather is warm and bright—
While underneath the eaves
The brooding swallows cling
As if to show me their sunny backs
And twit me with the spring.”
—Thomas Hood (1799–1845)