The swallows and martins, or Hirundinidae, are a family of passerine birds found around the world on all continents except Antarctica. There are around 83 species in 19 genera, with the greatest diversity found in Africa, which is also thought to be where they evolved as hole-nesters. A number of European and North American species are long-distance migrants; by contrast, the West and South African swallows are non-migratory.
See also: Barn swallow, House Martin, Mangrove swallow, Sand Martin
