Common Swift

Apus apus

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Aves · Apodiformes · Apodidae

About

The common swift is a medium-sized bird, superficially similar to the barn swallow or house martin but somewhat larger, though not stemming from those passerine species, being in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution, reflecting similar contextual development. The swifts' nearest relatives are the New World hummingbirds and the Southeast Asian treeswifts.

Fun Fact

Common swifts can spend up to ten consecutive months airborne without landing, eating, sleeping, and even mating on the wing — they only touch down to nest.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Aerial over towns and open country

Diet

Insectivore

Lifespan

5-10 years

Threats

Human-Wildlife Conflict
Disease

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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