manfred0034
Active member
Hi,
I have been intrigued by Birds that to me are basically the same but are called different things. Like the Barn Swallow and the Purple Martin. And for a long time I thought the Swift was in that same group (of looking the same birds, but very small subtle differences.)
However I recently learned that Swifts are not related to Swallows or Purple Martins. That they are in a different family. What is weird is that the Audubon Society book I have is what led to my confusion on Taxonomy. It puts Swifts with Swallows because they are both fast flying birds. I looked in a different bird book and it put Swifts with Whip Poor Wills. And way over in a different section it had Swallows and Martins.
So I take it that Swifts are not at all related to Swallows? Are Swifts related to Whip Poor Wills? What kind of bird is most closely related to Swifts. I take it that Swifts are an example of convergent evolution. Two totally different things that just happen to look similar. Like Lions and Marsupial lions. Or so forth.
Are Swifts even related to Whip Poor Wills?
Thanks
P.S.
I also learned another thing. To add to the confusion. That New World Vultures aren't really vultures at all! That they are actually storks that just happen to resemble birds of prey. And Old World Vultures are actually birds of prey. Or related to Hawks, Falcons, and Eagles. New World Vultures are more closely related to storks than they are to Old World Vultures. I guess huh? (Lots of confusion.)
I have been intrigued by Birds that to me are basically the same but are called different things. Like the Barn Swallow and the Purple Martin. And for a long time I thought the Swift was in that same group (of looking the same birds, but very small subtle differences.)
However I recently learned that Swifts are not related to Swallows or Purple Martins. That they are in a different family. What is weird is that the Audubon Society book I have is what led to my confusion on Taxonomy. It puts Swifts with Swallows because they are both fast flying birds. I looked in a different bird book and it put Swifts with Whip Poor Wills. And way over in a different section it had Swallows and Martins.
So I take it that Swifts are not at all related to Swallows? Are Swifts related to Whip Poor Wills? What kind of bird is most closely related to Swifts. I take it that Swifts are an example of convergent evolution. Two totally different things that just happen to look similar. Like Lions and Marsupial lions. Or so forth.
Are Swifts even related to Whip Poor Wills?
Thanks
P.S.
I also learned another thing. To add to the confusion. That New World Vultures aren't really vultures at all! That they are actually storks that just happen to resemble birds of prey. And Old World Vultures are actually birds of prey. Or related to Hawks, Falcons, and Eagles. New World Vultures are more closely related to storks than they are to Old World Vultures. I guess huh? (Lots of confusion.)
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