How to Identify Hirundinidae

Hirundinidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Passeriformes, class Aves. The family contains 61 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Hirundinidae Species

How to identify Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Vieillot, 1817)

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Vieillot, 1817)

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Vieillot, 1817)

This is a full description of the cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota), cove…

How to identify Hirundo angolensis Bocage, 1868

Hirundo angolensis Bocage, 1868

Hirundo angolensis Bocage, 1868

Hirundo angolensis Bocage, 1868 is a small bird with distinct patterned plumage …

How to identify Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Audubon, 1838)

Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Audubon, 1838)

Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Audubon, 1838)

Northern rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) is a small New World …

How to identify Hirundo neoxena Gould, 1842

Hirundo neoxena Gould, 1842

Hirundo neoxena Gould, 1842

The welcome swallow (Hirundo neoxena) is a small insectivorous bird native to Au…

How to identify Notiochelidon murina (Cassin, 1853)

Notiochelidon murina (Cassin, 1853)

Notiochelidon murina (Cassin, 1853)

The brown-bellied swallow is a small Andean swallow with three described subspec…

How to identify Ptyonoprogne fuligula rufigula (Fischer & Reichenow, 1884)

Ptyonoprogne fuligula rufigula (Fischer & Reichenow, 1884)

Ptyonoprogne fuligula rufigula (Fischer & Reichenow, 1884)

This is a detailed description of the large rock martin, covering its appearance…

How to identify Hirundo javanica Sparrman, 1789

Hirundo javanica Sparrman, 1789

Hirundo javanica Sparrman, 1789

Hirundo javanica is a small 13 cm swallow with distinct plumage and a shorter, l…

How to identify Notiochelidon cyanoleuca (Vieillot, 1817)

Notiochelidon cyanoleuca (Vieillot, 1817)

Notiochelidon cyanoleuca (Vieillot, 1817)

Notiochelidon cyanoleuca, the blue-and-white swallow, is an insect-eating swallo…

How to identify Cecropis semirufa (Sundevall, 1850)

Cecropis semirufa (Sundevall, 1850)

Cecropis semirufa (Sundevall, 1850)

Cecropis semirufa, the red-breasted swallow, is an African migratory swallow tha…

How to identify Petrochelidon fluvicola (Blyth, 1855)

Petrochelidon fluvicola (Blyth, 1855)

Petrochelidon fluvicola (Blyth, 1855)

Petrochelidon fluvicola, the streak-throated swallow, is a small resident South …

How to identify Petrochelidon nigricans (Vieillot, 1817)

Petrochelidon nigricans (Vieillot, 1817)

Petrochelidon nigricans (Vieillot, 1817)

Petrochelidon nigricans, the tree martin, is a small Australian swallow with dis…

How to identify Cecropis badia Cassin, 1853

Cecropis badia Cassin, 1853

Cecropis badia Cassin, 1853

Cecropis badia, the rufous-bellied swallow, is a breeding swallow of the Malay P…

Browse all 61 Hirundinidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Hirundinidae?

Hirundinidae animals belong to the Passeriformes order in the Animalia kingdom. These distinctive white facial markings disappear after maturity following their complex-basic moult pattern, because their pre-formative plumage differs from their basic plumage. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Hirundinidae?

Hirundinidae is classified in the order Passeriformes, class Aves, phylum Chordata. In winter, the northern Australian winter range of the welcome swallow overlaps with that of the wintering barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), which can be easily distinguished by its blue breast band.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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