Swallows and Martins
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Hirundinidae
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. There are about 83 species worldwide, 8 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sand Martin | Riparia riparia | A breeding summer visitor |
| Tree Swallow | Tachycineta bicolor | A rare vagrant |
| Purple Martin | Progne subis | A rare vagrant |
| Crag Martin | Ptyonoprogne rupestris | A rare vagrant |
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | A breeding summer visitor |
| House Martin | Delichon urbicum | A breeding summer visitor |
| Red-rumped Swallow | Cecropis daurica | A rare vagrant |
| Cliff Swallow | Petrochelidon pyrrhonota | A rare vagrant |
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Great Britain
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)