Pronunciation: [swˈɒlə͡ʊz] (IPA) 
The word "swallows" is spelled with the letter combination "swa", which is pronounced as /swɑː/. The letter "o" in the middle of the word is pronounced as /ɒ/, while the letter "ll" is pronounced as /l/. Finally, the letter "ow" at the end of the word is pronounced as /oʊ/. The IPA phonetic transcription provides a clear explanation of the correct pronunciation of each sound in the word "swallows".
Swallows are small to medium-sized birds belonging to the family Hirundinidae. They are known for their distinctive aerial acrobatics, gracefully darting and swooping through the air with great agility. Swallows have a slender, streamlined body, with long wings and a forked tail, which help them maneuver swiftly while catching flying insects.
These insectivorous birds are found throughout the world, inhabiting a variety of habitats, from forests and deserts to grasslands and wetlands. They are usually migratory, traveling long distances to breed in the summer and returning to warmer regions during the winter. Swallows are known for their strong homing instinct, often returning faithfully to the same nesting site year after year.
Most species of swallows have a glossy plumage with shades of blue, green, brown, or white. They have a small beak with a wide gape, which aids in catching insects on the wing. Swallows are known for their ability to communicate through elaborate twittering or chirping calls.
Swallows are valued for their ecological role as insect controllers, as they consume vast numbers of flying insects, including mosquitoes and flies, helping to keep their populations in check.
In many cultures, swallows symbolize freedom, agility, and beauty, and are often associated with good fortune, happiness, and the arrival of spring. They have also been portrayed in various works of art, literature, and folklore.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "swallows" has its origins in the Old English word "swalwe", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "swalwon". This root word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European base word "swel-" or "suel-", meaning "to whiz, flutter, or vibrate". Over time, the word evolved to become "swalwe" in Old English, then "swallow" in Middle English, referring specifically to the bird species known for its swift and agile flight.
