The genus "Ptyonoprogne" is closely related to the larger swallow genus "Hirundo", and is sometimes included within it since the nests of the "Ptyonoprogne" crag martins resemble those of typical "Hirundo" species like the barn swallow. However, a DNA analysis showed that if "Hirundo" is enlarged to contain the crag martins, it should include "all" the mud-builder genera. Conversely, if the "Delichon" house martins are considered to be a separate genus, as is normally the case, "Cecropis", "Petrochelidon" and "Ptyonoprogne" should also be split off. The pale crag martin's nearest relatives are the other members of the genus, the dusky crag martin "P. concolor" of southern Asia, the rock martin "P. fuligula" of Southern Africa, and the Eurasian crag martin "P. rupestris".