ExploreBirds

White-throated Swift

Aeronautes saxatalis

The White-throated Swift is a fast-flying bird known for its beautiful white throat and sleek body. It loves to zoom around in the sky, catching insects while flying high above mountains and cliffs.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The White-throated Swift is a slender bird with a sooty black body, striking white throat, and a white belly extending up its flanks. It has long, narrow, pointed wings and a short, squared tail, giving it a boomerang-like shape in flight.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderApodiformesFamilyApodidaeGenusAeronautes
White-throated Swift
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White-throated Swift

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

4

Interesting facts

Sticky homes! Swifts use their own saliva to glue nests to cliffs.

These birds cannot perch on branches; they only cling to vertical surfaces!

They drink water by skimming over lakes with open beaks in mid-flight!

Young swifts fly perfectly the first time they leave the nest, no lessons needed!

Special abilities

Ability

Sky Acrobatics

White-throated Swifts can catch tiny insects mid-air while flying at high speeds because of their agile wings and wide gape.

Ability

Vertical Grip

White-throated Swifts have strong claws and sticky saliva to cling to sheer rock faces and build nests on vertical cliffs.

Ability

Flight Endurance

White-throated Swifts can spend most of their lives airborne, even sleeping on the wing, due to their efficient aerodynamics.

Measurements & details

Length
16-18 cm
Wingspan
40-45 cm
Weight
0.028-0.036 kg
Lifespan
4-6 years
Top Speed
160 km/h
Clutch Size
4-6
Incubation
21-23 days
Migration Distance
4000 km

Diet & Feeding

Tiny flying insects are their main food, caught expertly in mid-air.

Primary Foods

  • flying ants
  • small beetles
  • flies
  • wasps

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Watch these birds from a distance and enjoy their flying without getting too close.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify White-throated Swift?

The easiest way to identify White-throated Swift is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is White-throated Swift?

16-18 cm

What is White-throated Swift's wingspan?

40-45 cm

How much does White-throated Swift weigh?

0.028-0.036 kg

How long does White-throated Swift live?

4-6 years

How fast can White-throated Swift move?

160 km/h

What does White-throated Swift eat?

Tiny flying insects are their main food, caught expertly in mid-air.

Where is White-throated Swift usually found?

Mountain regions

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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