Common Swift
ExploreBirds
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
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Endless Flight
Common Swift can fly for many months without landing because of their efficient flight, helping them continuously forage and migrate.
Ability
Aerial Slumber
Common Swift has the unique ability to sleep while flying, allowing them to rest during incredibly long, non-stop journeys.
Ability
Super Sonic Speed
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
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Aerial
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Migratory
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Eurasian Swift
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Swifts are safe to watch from a distance. Enjoy their flying skills without trying to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Common Swift?
16-17 cm
What is Common Swift's wingspan?
42-48 cm
How much does Common Swift weigh?
0.035-0.056 kg
How long does Common Swift live?
5-10 years
How fast can Common Swift move?
110 km/h
What does Common Swift eat?
They catch and eat many types of flying insects, like tiny spiders and aphids, high in the air.
How does Common Swift hunt?
Pursuit
How many eggs does Common Swift lay?
1-4
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