A guide to differentiate between these small, widely distributed birds.
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15:34 min
What is a similarity between swifts and swallows?
Both are widely distributed around the world and have similar hunting strategies.
What family do swifts belong to?
Family: Apodidae (closely related to hummingbirds).
What family do swallows belong to?
Family: Hirundinidae (related to martins, and saw-wings).
How do swifts spend most of their time?
They spend most of their time flying, rarely land or perch. They eat, drink, mate, and even sleep while flying!
What material do swallows use to build their nests?
Nests are made of pellets of mud mixed with straw and other plant matter.
About the Authors
Yashaswi Rao
is a wildlife biologist passionate about addressing contemporary conservation issues through cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. He is an alum of the MSc Wildlife Program at the National Centre for Biological Sciences.
Diviya Mehra
is a graphic designer. She was the former art director of National Geographic Traveller. Her love for animals, travel and design has shaped her career through the years.
