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 30 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo contains the largest number of swallows of any country on earth.
- African River Martin Pseudochelidon eurystomina
- Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
- Plain Martin Riparia paludicola
- Congo Sand Martin Riparia congica (E)
- Banded Martin Riparia cincta
- Brazza's Martin Phedina brazzae
- Gray-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga
- Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
- Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
- Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida
- Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica
- Angola Swallow Hirundo angolensis
- White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis
- Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
- White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita
- Black-and-rufous Swallow Hirundo nigrorufa
- Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea
- Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata
- Greater Striped-Swallow Cecropis cucullata
- Lesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica
- Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa
- Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis
- Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
- Preuss's Swallow Petrochelidon preussi
- Red-throated Swallow Petrochelidon rufigula
- South African Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera
- Common House-Martin Delichon urbica
- Square-tailed Sawwing Psalidoprocne nitens
- White-headed Sawwing Psalidoprocne albiceps
- Blue Sawwing Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo
Famous quotes containing the word swallows:
“At a wavering instant the swallows gave way to bats
By the Ponte Vecchio . . .
Changing guard.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)