There are at least five species of saw-wing.

The Black Saw-wing has a large number of subspecies and many of these are sometimes considered to be separate species.

The White-headed Saw-wing (Psalidoprocne albiceps), also known as the White-headed Rough-winged Swallow is a species of bird in the Hirundinidae family.

The Fanti Rough-winged Swallow (Psalidoprocne obscura), or the Fanti Saw-wing (Swallow) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family.

In particular, four northeasten races, including nominate P. p. pristoptera, have conspicuous white underwing coverts (all other subspecies are green-glossed and have completely dark underwings), and may be split as the Eastern Rough-winged Swallow or Eastern Saw-wing (Swallow), P. orientalis.

The swallow genera Progne, Ptyonoprogne and Psalidoprocne derive their names from the myth.

There is some agreement that there are three core groups within then Hirundininae, the saw-wings of the genus Psalidoprocne, the core martins and the swallows of the genus Hirundo and their allies.

For instance, male swallows in the genera Psalidoprocne and Stelgidopteryx have tiny recurved hooks on the leading edges of their outer primaries, but the function of these hooks is not yet known; some authorities suggest they may produce a sound during territorial or courtship displays.