OpenStack Swift by Joe Arnold

Colophon

The animal on the cover of OpenStack Swift is a swallow (of the Hirundinidae or Pseudochelidoninae families). These designations include the barn swallow and the martin, which are the most commonly recognized types of swallows. Despite their small wings and little feet, swallows have strong powers of flight, partly thanks to their distinctive square or forked tails.

These agile birds live all over the world except for the coldest, most remote regions. The common swallow is in almost perpetual migration, and the cliff swallow is renowned for its annual return to the San Juan Capistrano Mission in California (approximately halfway between L.A. and San Diego). Other common hangouts for this bird family include Canada, New Zealand, and Argentina; Antarctica is the only continent they do not visit. African swallows have the greatest species diversity, but they are less migratory than their European and North American counterparts (and as far as we know, no types of swallows carry coconuts with them as they migrate).

The swallows’ pointed wings allow them to glide and increase their stamina in the air, as well as giving them agility to catch insects. Along with flying skills and expressive calls, a long tail may help the males of the species attract females. Swallows remain monogamous once they mate. Overall, gender differences are subtle and usually come down to coloring.

Swallows can be very territorial, especially around nesting areas, which are large communal roosts. They may ...