Feeding on the wing
Gray-breasted Martin
Progne chalybea© Fernando PradoGreat Kiskadee
Pitangus sulphuratus© Carlos Gonzalez LedoTwo birds representative of two families which feed in flight The Gray-breasted Martin (Family Hirundinidae) and the Great Kiskadee (Family Tyrannidae) catch insects in flight but show behavioural and morphological differences. The Great Kiskadee sits still on a perch till it sees the prey, flies out to catch it and flies back to the same or a nearby place to eat it. Its bill is strong and has a hooked tip. Swallows feed on the wing. They are moving and so are insects, so a huge mouth is more appropriate to engulf preys. Their bills are short, broad and gape widely.