Barn Swallow & Bank Swallow
Swallows and swifts are both common aerial insectivores in Arizona, but they belong to entirely different families and have distinct characteristics. Swallows, in the family Hirundinidae, are sleek, long-winged songbirds that nest widely across the state in both natural and human-made structures.
Swifts, belonging to the family Apodidae, differ markedly in form and behavior. With long, crescent-shaped wings and short tails, they are built for nearly continuous flight.
Both groups are vital to Arizona’s ecosystems, controlling insect populations while displaying some of the most agile flight in the bird world. Swallows are more frequently observed perched on wires or branches, while swifts almost never land in view, clinging instead to vertical surfaces when not in flight. Together, these two families highlight the diversity of aerial insectivores across Arizona’s varied landscapes—from desert canyons and riparian corridors to alpine forests.