Common Swift

The common swift (Apus apus) is a medium-sized avian marvel, larger than the barn swallow or house martin, with which it shares a superficial resemblance. This resemblance is a result of convergent evolution, as swifts are not related to these passerines but belong to the order Apodiformes. Their closest relatives are the New World hummingbirds and the Southeast Asian treeswifts. The common swift is characterized by its dark, sooty brown plumage, save for a small pale patch on the chin, and its impressive long, scythe-like wings that form a crescent or boomerang shape in flight.

Identification Tips

When observing the common swift, look for a bird with a body length of 16–17 cm and a wingspan of 38–40 cm. Its plumage is predominantly blackish-brown, with the exception of a small white or pale grey patch under the chin, which is typically not visible from afar. The swift's tail is short and forked, and its wings are exceptionally long and swept back.

Habitat

Common swifts are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats. They are known to nest in ancient forests, utilizing tree burrows left by woodpeckers, as well as cliffs and crevices. However, with the decline of ancient forests, they have become more dependent on man-made structures, often nesting under eaves, gables, and in gaps of buildings.

Distribution

The common swift has a broad breeding range that spans from Portugal and Ireland in the west to China and Siberia in the east. They are also present in Northern Africa, the Middle East, and throughout Europe up to sub-Arctic Russia. During migration, they travel to Equatorial and Sub-Equatorial Africa, avoiding the Cape.

Behaviour

Swifts are known for their aerial prowess, spending most of their lives on the wing. They are capable of performing all their essential activities in flight, including feeding, drinking, and even sleeping. They are social birds, often forming "screaming parties" where groups gather in flight, calling to each other with a loud, distinctive scream. These gatherings may serve various purposes, including social interaction and communal roosting on the wing.

Song & Calls

The common swift's vocalizations are a series of loud screams, with the higher pitch typically emitted by the female. These calls are particularly noticeable during the swifts' "screaming parties" at dusk.

Breeding

Swifts are monogamous and may maintain long-term pair bonds, often returning to the same nesting site and partner each year. They construct their nests from airborne materials caught in flight, using their saliva as a bonding agent. Nesting sites are varied, including buildings, tree holes, and cliffs.

Similar Species

While similar in hunting behavior to swallows, swifts can be distinguished by their longer, sickle-shaped wings, deeper and quicker wingbeats, and their distinctive screaming calls.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the common swift consists almost exclusively of airborne insects. They are adept hunters, capturing their prey in flight, and can form large feeding parties in insect-rich areas such as wetlands.

Conservation status

The common swift is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN globally, but it is considered Near Threatened in Europe. Conservation efforts focus on preserving their habitats and nesting sites, particularly in light of the decline of ancient forests and the adaptation to urban environments.