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I and the Bird: What is a Swallow?

10,000 Birds

Taxonomically, swallows are one of the few families of birds that has seen little change in its ranks. For centuries, it seems that ornithologists and naturalists have correctly pegged swallows to the right family. The family is global in its distribution, with 83 species of around 19 genera. Barn Swallow , Hirundo rustica.

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I and the Bird: What is a Vulture?

10,000 Birds

Old World Vultures are nestled within the family Acciptridae along with the hawks and eagles. It’s actually a pretty classic example of convergent evolution, wherein two unrelated families of lifeforms evolve to fill the same niche independently. Turkey Vulture – Michael Motto, Iowa Voice. millions years ago.