Is a swallow and purple martin the same bird?

No, a swallow and purple martin are not the same bird. They are both passerine birds, but they belong to different families and are not closely related. Swallows belong to the family Hirundinidae, which also includes martins, while purple martins belong to the family Progne. Swallows are generally smaller and more slender than purple martins, and they have longer, more pointed wings. Purple martins are larger and more stocky, with shorter, broader wings. Swallows also typically have a more forked tail than purple martins.