Britannica
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How do swallows catch insects in flight?
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Passeriform
Reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus).
Swallows (family Hirundinidae) are highly specialized aerial feeders that spend a significant portion of their time in the air capturing insects.12
They are among the most agile of all passerine birds, possessing morphological adaptations that facilitate this lifestyle, including long, narrow wings for efficient flight, short bills, and large mouths. These physical traits allow them to maneuver effectively while hunting, enabling them to catch flying insects directly during their sustained flight.23