Mottled Swift

The Mottled Swift, known scientifically as Tachymarptis aequatorialis, is a captivating bird species belonging to the swift family, Apodidae. It shares its genus with its relative, the Alpine Swift (T. melba). This species is adorned with a mottled plumage.

Identification Tips

When observing the Mottled Swift, one should look for its distinctive mottled pattern, which sets it apart from other swifts. Its flight is characterized by rapid wingbeats, typical of its family, and its silhouette against the sky.

Habitat

The Mottled Swift is a bird of the skies, making its home in the vast expanses of the air above eastern and parts of western Africa. It is a species that is well-adapted to life on the wing, seldom seen perched, as it spends much of its life in flight.

Distribution

This species has a broad range across the African continent. It can be found in countries such as Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Behaviour

The Mottled Swift is known for its aerial prowess. It is a bird that is rarely seen at rest, spending most of its life in flight, where it feeds, mates, and even sleeps. Observers may note its agility and speed as it maneuvers through the air.

Similar Species

The Mottled Swift may be confused with other swifts, but its mottled plumage and the company it keeps with the Alpine Swift can help in distinguishing it from its congeners.

Conservation status

The Mottled Swift is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population levels that would warrant a higher degree of concern.