Birds of the family Hirundinidae - the Swallows and Martins - are small (10–24 cm in length, 10–60g in weight) migratory songbirds with long, pointed wings and streamlined bodies developed for fast, acrobatic flight. The tail feathers of the swallows are forked and longer than those of the square tail feathered Martins.

They can be seen swooping and flying over fields, orchards, lakes, and anywhere else that flying insects are abundant. Swallows are insectivores, catching a variety of insects in midair with their wide-gaped bills and expert flight, and will fly several miles from their nest site to forage.They nest together in flocks in protected, secluded cavities, including barns, sheds and chimneys, some in distinctive mud nests.