Family Hirundinidae

Swallows and Martins

7 species from the family Hirundinidae.

Typical settings for this family#

Shutter (still)1/1600 s
Shutter (action)1/3200–1/4000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
Size12–20 cm

7 species#

Barn Swallow Barn SwallowHirundo rustica Tree Swallow Tree SwallowTachycineta bicolor Cliff Swallow Cliff SwallowPetrochelidon pyrrhonota Northern Rough-winged SwallowStelgidopteryx serripennis Purple Martin Purple MartinProgne subis Violet-green Swallow Violet-green SwallowTachycineta thalassina Bank Swallow Bank SwallowRiparia riparia

Field-craft#

  • Photograph at nest sites or over water where they hunt insects.
  • Swallows and swifts are the hardest flight subjects — use wide tracking AF and shoot where they repeat a pattern.

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources