ExploreBird

Common Swift

Apus apus

The Common Swift is a small, fast bird that loves to fly high in the sky. They are known for their amazing acrobatics as they swoop and glide through the air.

Appearance

The Common Swift has a sooty-brown body with long, narrow, scythe-like wings that give it a distinctive boomerang shape in flight. It has a short, forked tail and a small pale throat patch, making it look almost entirely dark against the sky.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderApodiformesFamilyApodidaeGenusApus

Common Swift

Interesting facts

Common Swifts often mate high in the air, a tricky feat for flying birds!

The scientific name, Apus, means 'no foot' in Greek, as they rarely land.

Their nests are glued together with their own sticky saliva, mixed with feathers and debris!

Young swifts stay in their nest longer than most birds, up to 56 days!

Special abilities

Common Swift can fly for many months without landing because of their efficient flight, helping them continuously forage and migrate.

Common Swift has the unique ability to sleep while flying, allowing them to rest during incredibly long, non-stop journeys.

Common Swift can reach incredible speeds thanks to their streamlined bodies and powerful wings, helping them expertly chase airborne insects.

Measurements & details

Length: 16-17 cm
Wingspan: 42-48 cm
Weight: 0.035-0.056 kg
Lifespan: 5-10 years
Top Speed: 110 km/h
Clutch Size: 1-4
Incubation: 19-20 days
Migration Distance: 6000 km

Diet & Feeding

They catch and eat many types of flying insects, like tiny spiders and aphids, high in the air.

Primary Foods

flies
aphids
moths
beetles
spiders
mosquitoes

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Eurasian Hobby

Falco subbuteo

A swift predator that hunts swifts in flight.

eats

House Fly

Musca domestica

Common Swift catches and eats these flies in the air.

eats

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Swifts will prey on various flying Hymenoptera.

shelters

Black Mold

Cladosporium sphaerospermum

Nests can harbor fungi due to damp, sheltered conditions.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.