Hirundo viridis Illiger

 Hirundo viridis Illiger, 1811, Sandwich Island; error = eastern Brazil.

This species has in the past been placed in its own family, Tersinidae, and in a subfamily Tersininae of present family. 


Molecular-genetic data indicate that it is embedded within present family, and forms a monophyletic group with Dacnis and Cyanerpes; all three genera have sexually dimorphic plumage, but present genus differs in broad flat bill, skeletal elements of palate and tongue, long wing, hole-nesting behaviour, and migratory habits. Three subspecies recognized.