Birds of Cuba, Vagrant Visitors, Introduced Birds and Possibilities
Swallows
Hirondelles
Hirundinidae
Lives, Habitats & Pictures of Swallows
There are seven types of swallows seen in Cuba. Swallows are common throughout the North America continent, Mexico, Cental America and the Caribbean islands. These birds are the Bahama Swallow, a tropical swallow seen mostly south of the Rio Grande and on the Caribbean islands. Then there is the Cave Swallow, a different race from the continental Cave Swallow. The others are the Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Cliff Swallow.
The swallows feed on insects and these acrobatic birds catch their prey as they manoeuvre through the air. They are mostly found near water and most swallow species build their nests from mud. The exception to this is the Bank Swallow, who prefers to burrow into the sides of sandbanks, and the Tree Swallow and Violet-green Swallow prefer to nest in the cavities of trees and posts and when given the opportunity, they use man-made birdhouses.
