Martins & Swallows - Hirondelles

This a small family of birds including about 87 species worldwide, of which 7 breed in Canada, including the purple martin. Canadian swallows do not sing but all have distinctive call notes. All swallows feed mainly on flying insects, spending much time in flight. Their long wings give the impression of a larger bird, but they are actually small.

Swallows are accomplished, graceful fliers. In late summer, they mass in flocks on roadside wires, often several species together. Within a few weeks they have gone south, not returning to Canada for 7-8 months.

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Barn swallows build their nests with mud pellets and like to reuse nests year after year. Nest building takes up a lot of energy and swallows can make more than 1,000 trips in the process. New pairs will take over unused nest.