Swallows are recognizable by their slender, streamlined bodies, which enables them to devour insects in flight.  They are familiar birds throughout the world, often nesting in close association with people.  They are known to many as harbingers of spring and as symbols of good luck.  As a family, Swallows are easy to identify, but the family includes many closely related and similar species.  The swallow that "returns to San Juan Capistrano Mission" each March is the Cliff Swallow.  Cliff Swallows gather mud to build their globular homes in colonies under bridges or the eaves of buildings (or on cliff-faces out in the wilderness).  They stuff as much mud as possible into their beaks and carry it substantial distances.  Swallows in flight are hard to photograph, so most pictures are of birds perched.  The best way to bring a swallow into your home is with one of our swallow suncatchers.