Apodidae – Swifts

Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba ©Lefteris Stavrakas Website

Common SwiftApus apus

Named as Hirundo Apus by Linnaeus in 1758, Common Swift has two subspecies: A. a. apus (W Palearctic north of Sahara east to Lake Baikal, south-east towards Iran (recent colonist of Gran Canaria and probably Teneriefe) and A. a. pekinensis (Iran east through Himalayas to Mongolia and N China). Both races winter primarily south of Equator in Africa.

Over vast breeding range occurs in a wide range of habitats from arid steppe, desert, temperate, Mediterranean zones and boreal zone and from sea-level to high altitude (recorded migrating at 5700m in Himalayas). Similarly occurs over all sub-Saharan habitats in the winter. Abundance in Britian apparently correlates with climate; commonest in relatively warm and dry south and east, becoming scarcer to the north and west where insect abundance is reduced in the comparatively wetter conditions. In Israel less abundant in driest areas.

In spring present in south of breeding range from mid Mar, arriving later further north, where migration occurs into Jun. Leaves Europe from late Jul being present on African wintering grounds from Sept. Broadfront autumn migration from Europe with S SW bearing, whilst return migration is by a more easterly route. Race pekinensis has departed South Africa by early Mar, with nominate birds leaving somewhat earlier, late Jan – early Feb. Small numbers winter north of Sahara, for instance on Cape Verde Is, Egypt, Israel and the Arab Gulf states.

Within huge range the onset of breeding season varies widely, from Mar in Israel, mid May in Britain and late May in Scandinavia. Mainly colonial, with separate nests typically over 1m apart. Male prospects and choses nest site in order to attract female, who is initially greeted with hostile display, though allopreening occurs when she submits by lifting head to expose throat patch. Nests mainly in buildings, but also in tree hollows and rock crevices in remote areas. Half-cupped nest measures 125 x 110 mm with an internal diameter of 45 mm; consists of small pieces of vegetable matter and feathers, agglutinated with saliva,. Clutch 1-4 eggs, measuring: 25 x 16 mm; parents share nesting duties equally, with incubation initiated by laying of last egg, with a period of 19.5 days.

Continuous brooding in first week, becomes discontinuous from second with young unattended during inclement weather. Weather causes feeding rate variation; two young share foodball until they are large enough to swallow one whole around day 14, with an average 10 foodballs daily. Young becomes restless from 2-3 weeks, with wing exercises and allopreening; self initiated fledging after sunset or prior to 08.00 am; average fledging period 42.5 days, with wide range of 37-56 days due to weather conditions. Mating on wing and at nest. Average breeding success between 58-65% with on average between 1.3-1.7 young fledging per breeding effort.

A common species, with 1997 population estimates in Europe between 3,973,943-4,872,619, Russia 1,00,000-5,000,000 and Turkey 50,000-500,000. Apparent decline in some areas of Europe, at least, as shown by reported recent declines in 12 European countries. In Britain and Ireland censuses between 1968-1972 revealed an estimated 100,000 pairs and between then and 1989-1990 there is apparently no evidence of siginificant population change.

(No swift species has become extinct since 1600, but BirdLife International assesses the Guam swiftlet as endangered and lists the Atiudark-rumpedSchouteden’sSeychelles and Tahiti swiftlets as vulnerable; twelve other species are near threatened or lack sufficient data for classification).

Species List

There are, according to the IOC, 113 Swifts, Swiftlets, Spinetails, Needletails and Palm-Swifts in the family Apodidae; they are listed below.

Spot-fronted Swift Cypseloides cherriei 
White-chinned Swift Cypseloides cryptus 
White-fronted Swift Cypseloides storeri 
Sooty Swift Cypseloides fumigatus 
Rothschild’s Swift Cypseloides rothschildi 
American Black Swift Cypseloides niger 
White-chested Swift Cypseloides lemosi 
Great Dusky Swift Cypseloides senex

Tepui Swift Streptoprocne phelpsi 
Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila 
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris 
Biscutate Swift Streptoprocne biscutata 
White-naped Swift Streptoprocne semicollaris

Giant Swiftlet Hydrochous gigas
Plume-toed Swiftlet Collocalia affinis
Grey-rumped Swiftlet Collocalia margina
Ridgetop Swiftlet Collocalia isonota
Tenggara Swiftlet Collocalia sumbawae
Drab Swiftlet Collocalia neglecta
Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta 
Satin Swiftlet Collocalia uropygialis
Bornean Swiftlet Collocalia dodgei 
Cave Swiftlet Collocalia linchi
Christmas Island Swiftlet Collocalia natalis
Pygmy Swiftlet Collocalia troglodytes

Seychelles Swiftlet Aerodramus elaphrus 
Mascarene Swiftlet Aerodramus francicus 
Indian Swiftlet Aerodramus unicolor 
Philippine Swiftlet Aerodramus mearnsi 
Halmahera Swiftlet Aerodramus infuscatus 
Sulawesi Swiftlet Aerodramus sororum 
Seram Swiftlet Aerodramus ceramensis 
Mountain Swiftlet Aerodramus hirundinaceus 
White-rumped Swiftlet Aerodramus spodiopygius 
Australian Swiftlet Aerodramus terraereginae 
Himalayan Swiftlet Aerodramus brevirostris 
Volcano Swiftlet Aerodramus vulcanorum 
Whitehead’s Swiftlet Aerodramus whiteheadi 
Bare-legged Swiftlet Aerodramus nuditarsus 
Mayr’s Swiftlet Aerodramus orientalis 
Mossy-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus salangana 
Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus vanikorensis 
Ameline Swiftlet Aerodramus amelis 
Palau Swiftlet Aerodramus pelewensis 
Mariana Swiftlet Aerodramus bartschi 
Island Swiftlet Aerodramus inquietus 
Tahiti Swiftlet Aerodramus leucophaeus 
Atiu Swiftlet Aerodramus sawtelli 
Marquesan Swiftlet Aerodramus ocistus 
Black-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus maximus 
Edible-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus 
Germain’s Swiftlet Aerodramus germani 
Three-toed Swiftlet Aerodramus papuensis

Scarce Swift Schoutedenapus myoptilus 

Philippine Spine-tailed Swift Mearnsia picina 
Papuan Spine-tailed Swift Mearnsia novaeguineae

Madagascan Spinetail Zoonavena grandidieri 
Sao Tome Spinetail Zoonavena thomensis 
White-rumped Spinetail Zoonavena sylvatica

Mottled Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri 
Black Spinetail Telacanthura melanopygia

Silver-rumped Spinetail Rhaphidura leucopygialis 
Sabine’s Spinetail Rhaphidura sabini

Cassin’s Spinetail Neafrapus cassini 
Böhm’s Spinetail Neafrapus boehmi

White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus 
Silver-backed Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis 
Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus 
Purple Needletail Hirundapus celebensis

Lesser Antillean Swift Chaetura martinica 
Band-rumped Swift Chaetura spinicaudus 
Costa Rican Swift Chaetura fumosa 
Pale-rumped Swift Chaetura egregia 
Grey-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris 
Vaux’s Swift Chaetura vauxi 
Sick’s Swift Chaetura meridionalis 
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica 
Chapman’s Swift Chaetura chapmani 
Mato Grosso Swift Chaetura viridipennis 
Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura

White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis 
White-tipped Swift Aeronautes montivagus 
Andean Swift Aeronautes andecolus

Antillean Palm Swift Tachornis phoenicobia 
Pygmy Palm Swift Tachornis furcata 
Neotropical Palm Swift Tachornis squamata

Great Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila sanctihieronymi 
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis

African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus 
Malagasy Palm Swift Cypsiurus gracilis
Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis

Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 
Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis

Cape Verde Swift Apus alexandri 
Common Swift Apus apus 
Plain Swift Apus unicolor 
Nyanza Swift Apus niansae 
Pallid Swift Apus pallidus 
African Black Swift Apus barbatus 
Malagasy Black Swift Apus balstoni
Fernando Po Swift Apus sladeniae 
Forbes-Watson’s Swift Apus berliozi 
Bradfield’s Swift Apus bradfieldi 
Pacific Swift Apus pacificus 
Salim Ali’s Swift Apus salimalii 
Blyth’s Swift Apus leuconyx 
Cook’s Swift Apus cooki 
Dark-rumped Swift Apus acuticauda 
Little Swift Apus affinis 
House Swift Apus nipalensis 
Horus Swift Apus horus 
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer 
Bates’s Swift Apus batesi

Species Links
  • African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus

    Species Account
    The African palm swift (Cypsiurus parvus) is a small swift. It is very similar to the Asian palm swift, Cypsiurus balasiensis, and was formerly considered to be the same species. The Malagasy palm swift was also recently split from this species.
  • Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba

    IUCN Species Status
    The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
  • Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba

    Species Account
    The Alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba) formerly Apus melba, is a species of swift. The genus name is from the Ancient Greek takhus, "fast", and marptis, "seizer". The specific melba has no known explanation.
  • Antillean Palm Swift Tachornis phoenicobia

    Species Account
    Antillean Palm-swift is a small blackish brown and white swift with a distinctly forked tail. Mainly found in low, seasonally wet grasslands and second growth scrub in the Greater Antilles, Antillean Palm-Swift spends most of the day on the wing in search of flying insects.
  • Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis

    Species Account
    The Asian palm swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis) is a small swift. It is very similar to the African palm swift, Cypsiurus parvus, and was formerly considered to be the same species.
  • Black Swift Cypseloides niger

    Species Account
    The American black swift or more simply black swift (Cypseloides niger) is a name given to birds that are found from northern British Columbia in Canada through the United States and Mexico to Costa Rica and Brazil.
  • Black Swift Cypseloides niger

    Cornell Species Account
    Black Swift occurs widely throughout western North America in summer, with its breeding range extending as far north as southeastern Alaska, as far east as central Colorado, and south through Mexico and Central America to Costa Rica, with additional populations in the West Indies.
  • Black Swift Cypseloides niger

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • Cave Swiftlet Collocalia linchi

    Species Account
    The cave swiftlet (Collocalia linchi) is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia and India. It is a woodland species and nests in caves. The Bornean swiftlet was considered a subspecies, but is now usually considered distinct.
  • Cave Swiftlet Collocalia linchi

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila

    Species Account
    The chestnut-collared swift (Streptoprocne rutila) is a resident breeding bird from Mexico and Trinidad south to Peru and Bolivia. It was one of the species of Cypseloides controversially moved to Streptoprocne by the AOU (BLI 2004).
  • Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila

    IUCN Species Status
    BirdLife International 2016. Streptoprocne rutila. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
  • Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila

    Cornell Species Account
    Chestnut-collared Swift is a rather large swift of montane regions. It is found from Mexico south through Central America, the Andes from Venezuela south to Bolivia, and in the coastal mountains of northern Venezuela and on Trinidad.
  • Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica

    Species Account
    The chimney swift (Chaetura pelagica) is a bird belonging to the swift family Apodidae. A member of the genus Chaetura, it is closely related to both the Vaux's swift and the Chapman's swift; in the past, the three were sometimes considered to be conspecific.
  • Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica

    Cornell Species Account
    A recognizable component of the eastern North American avifauna, this small, agile, fast-flying swift is easily identified by its characteristic "cigar on wings" profile.
  • Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica

    IUCN Species Status
    he IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22686709A131792415
  • Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • Common Swift Apus apus

    Species Account
    The common swift (Apus apus) is a medium-sized bird, superficially similar to the barn swallow or house martin but somewhat larger. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the separate order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles. Swifts' nearest relatives are thought to be the New World hummingbirds and the Southeast Asian treeswifts....
  • Common Swift Apus apus

    IUCN Species Status
    BirdLife International 2016. Apus apus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22686800A86111691
  • Common Swift Apus apus

    RSPB Species Account
    The swift is a medium-sized aerial bird, which is a superb flier. It evens sleeps on the wing! It is plain sooty brown, but in flight against the sky it appears black.
  • Common Swift Apus apus

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • House Swift Apus nipalensis

    Species Account
    The house swift (Apus nipalensis) is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. It is found in Nepal, and Southeast Asia. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the little swift.
  • House Swift Apus nipalensis

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • Malagasy Palm Wwift Cypsiurus gracilis

    Species Account
    The Malagasy palm swift (Cypsiurus gracilis) is a small swift in the family Apodidae. It is very similar to the African palm swift, Cypsiurus parvus, with which it was formerly considered conspecific. It was split based on differences in vocalizations and plumage coloration.
  • Mountain Swiftlet Aerodramus hirundinacea

    Species Account
    The mountain swiftlet (Aerodramus hirundinaceus) is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. It is endemic to the island of New Guinea and the nearby islands of Karkar, Yapen and Goodenough.
  • Mountain Swiftlet Aerodramus hirundinacea

    IUCN Species Status
    BirdLife International 2016. Aerodramus hirundinaceus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22686525A93116128
  • Pallid Swift Apus pallidus

    Species Account
    The pallid swift (Apus pallidus) is a small bird, superficially similar to a barn swallow or house martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since the swifts are in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.
  • Pallid Swift Apus pallidus

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi

    Cornell Species Account
    A bird of the Pacific Northwest, Vaux's Swift spends almost all of daylight hours in the air foraging for insects.
  • Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi

    Species Account
    Vaux's swift (Chaetura vauxi) is a small swift native to North America and northern South America. It was named for the American scientist William Sansom Vaux.
  • Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi

    IUCN Species Status
    BirdLife International 2016. Chaetura vauxi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22733935A95069659
  • Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris

    IUCN Species Status
    BirdLife International 2018. Streptoprocne zonaris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22686476A130106561
  • White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris

    Cornell Species Account
    A large, black swift with a complete white collar, the White-collared Swift can be found in a wide range of habitats at a wide range of altitudes.
  • White-rumped Swift Apus caffer

    Species Account
    The white-rumped swift (Apus caffer) is a small swift. Although this bird is superficially similar to a house martin, it is not closely related to that passerine species. The resemblances between the swallows and swifts are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.
  • White-rumped Swift Apus caffer

    IUCN Species Status
    BirdLife International 2018. Apus caffer. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22686882A131921201.
  • White-rumped Swift Apus caffer

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • White-rumped Swiftlet Aerodramus spodiopygius

    Species Account
    The white-rumped swiftlet (Aerodramus spodiopygius) is a species of swift in the family Apodidae.
  • White-rumped Swiftlet Aerodramus spodiopygius

    IUCN Species Status
    BirdLife International 2016. Aerodramus spodiopygius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22686528A93116300.
  • White-rumped Swiftlet Aerodramus spodiopygius

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
  • White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatilis

    Species Account
    The white-throated swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) is a swift of the family Apodidae native to western North America, south to cordilleran western Honduras. It is migratory, and travels to the southern part of its range in winter, as far north along the Pacific coast as the Californian Central Valley; inland its range extends throughout the Great Basin region to extreme southern British Columbia.
  • White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatilis

    Cornell Species Account
    White-throated Swifts are among the most accomplished fliers of all North American birds, streaking forward at high speed, then suddenly changing direction with lightning-fast adjustments of wing and tail.
  • White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatilis

    Species Account
    Sound archive and distribution map.
Contributors
  • Phil Chantler

    Freelance Writer & Ornithologist - Author of the classic: Swifts | p_chantler@yahoo.com

Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 113

    (According to IOC as at July 2019)
Useful Reading
  • On Crescent Wings

    | (A Portrait of the Swift) | By Jonathan Pomroy | Mascot Media | 2018 | Paperback | 144 pages, 132 colour & b/w illustrations | ISBN: 9781999845759 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • RSPB Spotlight: Swifts and Swallows

    | By Mike Unwin | Bloomsbury Publishing | 2018 | Paperback | 128 pages, colour photos, colour maps | ISBN: 9781472950116 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Swift Summers

    | (My Life with the Common Swift) | Mark Walker | M`ark Walker | 2016 | Paperback | 140 pages, b/w photos, b/w illustrations | ISBN: 9781329963092 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Swiftlets of Borneo - Builders of Edible Nests

    | By Lim Chan Choon & Earl of Cranbrook | Natural History Publications Borneo | 2014 | Edition 2 | Hardback | 170 pages, 137 colour photos, b/w illustrations and colour maps, colour tables | ISBN: 9789838121484 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Swifts

    | (A Guide to the Swifts and Treeswifts of the World) | Phil Chantler & Gerald Driessens | Pica Press | 2000 | Edition 2 | Hardback | 272 pages, 24 colour plates, line illustrations, maps ISBN: 9781873403839 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Swifts

    | By John Glenday, R Summerton, A Lolley & D Ramsay | Salty Press | 2010 | Paperback | 24 pages, 9 b/w illustrations | ISBN: 9780955178399 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Swifts in a Tower

    | By David Lack | Unicorn Publishing Group | 2018 | Hardback | 286 pages, 12 plates with 19 colour photos; 28 b/w illustrations, 2 tables | ISBN: 9781911604365 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Organisations
  • Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica Conservation Project

    Website
    Nestcam, reports etc.
  • Concern For Swifts

    Website
    Nearly all the examples of good practice which make up this section of the web-site are due to the enthusiasm and commitment of individuals working on their own. It has been most rewarding to discover how many swift lovers there are out there, getting on with it, not waiting for this agreement and that agreement and this form to be filled in and that list to be completed. It has also been something of a revelation to discover that, almost without exception, architects and contractors have gone out of their way to assist and invent.
  • Swift Conservation

    Website
    Our aim is to protect and encourage Swifts, truly amazing birds that live with us for just three months every Summer. We provide advice to homeowners, construction professionals, educators, and government. Find out why Swifts matter, what they give us, and how you can get a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction helping them survive and thrive
Forums & Mailing Lists
  • Swallows-Martins-Swifts-Worldwide

    Mailing List
    Aimed at specialist and amateur alike, you may record observations, describe interesting behavioral features, ask questions, advise readers about publications, and submit photographs and texts via Files or Photos. Articles and messages in languages other than English may be posted, provided a summary in English is also attached.
Photographers & Artists
  • Little Swift Apus affinis

    Gallery
    Excellent close Image

Fatbirder - linking birders worldwide... Wildlife Travellers see our sister site: WAND

Skip to content