Hirundinidae bird family

Order Passeriformes · 13 selected species

Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.

African River MartinPseudochelidon eurystominaEnigmatic and distinctive, this compact all-dark martin has striking red eyes and a bright orange-red bill. Juvenile is duller. In lethargic flight it appears bulky-headed, short-tailed, and triangular-winged. Small to large groups forage high over forested rivers, swamps, and coastal scrub. Birds migrate between two breeding areas, one in coastal central Africa from Gabon to northern Angola (August to December), and another farther inland, centered on the Congo River in west-central Democratic Republic of Congo (January to May), but their habits remain poorly understood. Calls include a scratchy chattering “skeer-skeer”; large flocks can become cacophonous.

Asian House-MartinDelichon dasypusSmall, compact swallow with dark (glossy dark blue) upperparts, smudgy gray cast on whitish underparts, and bright white rump. Very similar to Northern and Nepal House-Martins, with gray-smudged underparts intermediate between the clean white belly of the former and black sides of the latter. Sometimes mistaken for House Swift when seen from above, but the chunkier shape and broader wings of the swallow are distinctive. Often nests in bustling colonies on cliffs and under the eaves of human-made structures.

Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaA fairly large, colorful swallow. Usually easy to identify with its long, forked tail and dark rump. Iridescent navy-blue above with a rich orange throat and forehead. Underparts vary across range, from bright buffy-orange to whitish. Occurs in any open habitat, especially large fields and wetlands. Often seen foraging in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of swallow. Typically nests close to human habitation; builds a muddy cup nest in a barn or under a dock. Listen for dry, scratchy “svit svit” calls. Note head and breast pattern and tail length to help separate from various similar species in Africa, Asia, and Australia (e.g., Welcome Swallow, Angolan Swallow, Pacific Swallow).

Cave SwallowPetrochelidon fulvaCompact swallow with a short, square tail. In flight, looks slightly less angular than other swallows, with more rounded wings. Note pale buffy-orange rump, which separates Cave from most other swallows in range. Also look for pale orange throat and orange forehead. Compare especially with Cliff Swallow, which has a darker throat and pale forehead. Fairly common in northern Mexico and on the Yucatan peninsula, with numbers increasing dramatically in Texas. Also occurs in the Caribbean, where birds are richer orange on the throat, rump, and sides. Sometimes nests in caves, but also frequently found under bridges and other human-made structures. Forages over open fields or bodies of water. Vagrants turn up regularly in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada in late fall, after most other swallows have departed.

Cliff SwallowPetrochelidon pyrrhonotaCompact swallow with a short, square tail. In flight, looks slightly less angular than other swallows, with more rounded wings. Note pale buffy-orange rump, which separates Cliff from most other swallows in range. Also look for dark throat and pale forehead. Widespread and fairly common, especially in western North America. Breeds under bridges, overpasses, and culverts. Winters in South America. Compare especially with Cave Swallow, which has a paler throat and orange forehead.

Mascarene MartinPhedina borbonicaBig, broad-winged brown swallow with heavy streaking below. Can be found in almost any habitat, though it prefers areas near water. Most often seen on the wing, sometimes in flocks, which can also contain other species of swallow or swift. Constantly gives a distinctive tearing “schreeaw” call, especially in flight. Larger than Plain Martin, with streaks below, and much more powerful flight. Shares streaking with striped-swallows, but has brown on the back and head, rather than blue and orange.

Nepal House-MartinDelichon nipalenseA typical house-martin, with dark upperparts, white underparts, a white rump, and a rather dumpy body. Differs from Common and Asian House-Martins by its sooty throat. Upperparts can have a bluish gloss if seen in good light. Breeds on ridges and cliffs, and occasionally around human settlements. Associates with other swallows and swifts, often gathering over water to catch emerging insects.

Pale Crag-MartinPtyonoprogne obsoletaA subtly colored gray-brown member of the swallow family. Note the slightly forked tail with white spots. Nests in canyons, escarpments, gorges, and buildings; frequently in arid areas. Often seen in pairs or small groups. Not very vocal; sometimes gives a short, dry trill. In areas of overlap, averages smaller and paler than the very similar Eurasian Crag-Martin, with underwing coverts that are only slightly darker than the rest of the wing. At a distance, can be confused with “Riparia” martins; look for Pale Crag-Martin’s white tail patches.

Purple MartinProgne subisLarge, dark swallow. Distinctive north of Mexico, where it is the largest swallow. Adult males are dark overall with a purplish-blue iridescence visible at close range. Females are grayer with iridescence on the crown and back, and variable splotchy patterning on the underparts. Immatures lack any purplish color and have a whiter belly. Gives a distinctive liquid gurgling call. In the eastern U.S., nests exclusively in nest boxes and martin houses; also uses natural cavities in parts of the western U.S. and Mexico. Departs breeding grounds in the late summer, locally staging in massive numbers. Winters primarily in the Amazon basin of South America. During migration and winter, identification is complicated by several other extremely similar species of martin. Identification features are not well known; some are best left unidentified.

Tree SwallowTachycineta bicolorCommon and widespread throughout most of North America, breeding as far north as Alaska and wintering to Panama. A medium-sized swallow, with gleaming white underparts. Adult males are bright iridescent blue-green above; females and immatures are duller brownish with limited or no iridescence. Always note compact shape, fairly broad wings, and slightly notched tail. Occurs in a variety of open habitats including grassy fields, lakes, and marshes. Often in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of swallows. Breeds in cavities, including human-made nest boxes. Listen for cheery gurgling calls. Compare especially with Violet-green Swallow; note Tree Swallow does not show extensive white wrapping around the cheek or the sides of the rump.

Violet-green SwallowTachycineta thalassinaA relatively small swallow of western North America. Adult males have a white face and show turquoise-green upperparts and a purple rump in good light. Females and immatures are duller on the upperparts, sometimes just dusky-gray. In flight, note the prominent white "saddlebags" extending up from the underparts to the sides of the rump. Fairly common in a variety of open habitats, often foraging over meadows or ponds. Can be seen in large flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of swallow. Breeds as far north as Alaska; winters primarily in Mexico and northern Central America.

Western House-MartinDelichon urbicumDistinctive small swallow with blue-black upperparts, a big white rump patch, and snow-white underparts. Juvenile in late summer and autumn is duller above and dingier below than adult. Compare with other swallows; note the relatively shallowly forked and streamerless tail, as well as jerky and fluttery flight. In east of range, overlaps with very similar Siberian House-Martin (formerly treated as one species); note present species’ significantly smaller rump patch. Breeds colonially, frequently building mud nests under the eaves of buildings; forages over varied open and semi-open habitats, especially water bodies and adjacent fields. Gives a soft burbling trill.