Martins are a group of passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae which are characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Martins hunt insects on the wing by using their slender streamlined body, and long pointed wings, which allows great maneuverability and endurance.

It is believed that this family originated in Africa as hole-nesters; Africa still has the greatest diversity of species. Martins have short bills, but strong jaws and a wide gape. Their body length ranges from about 10-24 cm (3.9-9.4 in) and their weight from about 10-60 g (0.4-2.1 oz). The wings are long, pointed, and have nine primary feathers. The tail has 12 feathers and may be forked, indented, or square-ended. A long tail increases maneuverability, and may also function as a sexual adornment, since the tail is frequently longer in males. The legs are short, and their feet are designed for perching rather than walking, as the front toes are partially joined at the base, causing the bird to display a waddling gait.

The most common plumage is glossy dark blue or green above and plain or streaked underparts, often white or rufous. Species which burrow or live in dry or mountainous areas are often unglossed brown above (eg Sand Martin and Crag Martin). The sexes show no, or only limited, sexual dimorphism, with longer outer tail feathers in the adult male probably being the commonest distinction where one exists.

After completing the Great Capital Run (10km) in July 2007 in 2 hours 22 minutes and the Roding Valley half marathon in Essex on 2 March 2008 in 5 hours 13 minutes, Martin is due to participate in the 2008 London Marathon. If he completes the 26 mile course, he will be the oldest recorded marathon participant in the world

In recognition of his services to the music industry and popular culture, he was made a Knight Bachelor in 1996. He is the father of producer Giles Martin, and actor Gregory Paul Martin.

He is a Grammy Award Winner for Best Comedy Album for Let’s Get Small 1978 & for A Wild and Crazy Guy 1979.  He also won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance in Earl Scruggs and Friends video for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”

Eric Martin – (b. 10/10/1960) Former vocalist of rock band, Mr. Big.

Marilyn Martin – (b. 5/4/1954) Sang with Phil Collins on the American #1 power ballad duet “Separate Lives”.  She sang “Sorcerer”, written by Stevie Nicks, for the 1984 film Streets of Fire.  She sang backing vocals for Madonna on her 1989 hit song “Cherish”. 

Max Martin – (b. 2/26/1971) Born Martin Karl Sandberg.  A Grammy-nominated, Swedish pop-dance music producer and songwriter.  He produced and/or wrote a string of worldwide hits for pop artists like the clean-cut boy bands The Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Swedish starlet Robyn, the Swedish eurodance star E-Type, and Kelly Clarkson, ect.

Ricky Martin – (b. 12/24/1971) Born Enrique Martín Morales.  Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican pop singer who rose to fame, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo.  He has sold almost 48 million albums around the world, charting twenty one top-ten hits on the U.S. Latin Charts, eight of which reached number one, and a total of over thirty hit singles.

Tony Martin (b. 12/25/1912)- Born Alvin Morris.  An American actor and traditional pop singer.  He was a featured vocalist on the George Burns and Gracie Allen radio program.  He appeared in many film musicals in the 1940s and 1950s.