common swallow

The common swallow (Hirundo rustica) is almost worldwide in migration; an American species, called barn swallow, may summer in Canada and winter in Argentina. The 10 species of Petrochelidon, which make flask-shaped mud nests, include the cliff swallow (P. pyrrhonota), the bird of San Juan Capistrano…

Barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) exhibit the typical forked “swallow-tail.” The purple martin (Progne subis) is the largest North American swallow.

Swallows—particularly barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) and house martins (Delichon urbica)—and swifts (Apus apus) pass the winter in Africa south of 20° N latitude, particularly in South Africa, in the Congo River region, and in some coastal areas of West Africa.