Hirundinids, members of Hirundinidae, are a family of birds that include the swallows and the martins.

Highly adapted to aerial feeding, they have a very distinctive appearance, possessing an evolutionarily conservative body shape that is slender and streamlined with long, pointed wings. These were to adapt to hunting insects in flight, allowing maneuverability and frequent gliding as well as general efficient flight. Typical Hirundinids possess short and wide beaks, containing strong jaws and a wide gape, as well as relatively long eyes. They also tend to have long, deeply forked tail feathers, often utilized in maneuvering and possibly sexual display.

Species

• martin_(bird)
• swallow_(bird)

See also

• avian
• bird
• hirundinid