Swift/swallow shaped bird over a lake in Central Texas- identifiable from this shot? (1 Viewer)

[Tired]

Several of these were swooping over this lake, periodically dipping down for a drink. I didn't get any better shots than this, since they were small, fast, far away, and never stopped moving. Is it possible to tell what this is from this shot? I'd estimate it being a smidge larger than the red-winged blackbirds it occasionally flew through, but wouldn't put money on that. They flew in a relatively smooth pattern, not dipping and bobbing like some birds do.

Edit: please see new photo of a different bird, a couple posts down.

 

[jmorlan]

Purple Martins.

 

[Tired]

Oh, they are! That's good news, there are a lot of local programs trying to encourage them. I think I even saw one of the typical purple martin colony houses nearby. Those usually only have house sparrows in them, but someone must be doing something right.

 

[Tired]

While we're at it, any thoughts on this one? Another martin? It looks like something else to me, but I don't know if martins sometimes have markings like that, and it was acting like the martins. This was, I think last week?

 

[THE_FERN]

Looks same to me: all dark purply. Other species would have a greater contrast/diversity of colours.

 

[Microtus]

They're both Purple Martins.

 

[Butty]

Female-type.

 

[Tired]

Good to know, thanks everyone.