Common Swift

Apus apus

Order:

Caprimulgiformes

Family:

Apodidae

Size:

16-18 cm

Weight:

31-52 g

Taxonomy:

A. a. pekinensis (Swinhoe, 1870)

Short Description:

The Common Swift (Apus apus) is a small, highly aerial bird characterized by its streamlined body, long, swept-back wings, and forked tail. Its plumage is uniformly dark brown or black, with a slightly paler throat. Common Swifts have a distinctive silhouette, appearing cigar-shaped with wings held tightly against the body. They have short legs and are rarely seen perched on the ground.

Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast

In Pakistan, Common Swifts are widespread throughout the country, particularly during the summer months. They are commonly found in both urban and rural areas, often nesting in buildings, cliffs, or other man-made structures. During the breeding season, they inhabit a variety of habitats, including cities, towns, agricultural areas, and open woodlands.

Common Swifts are highly migratory birds, spending the breeding season in Pakistan before embarking on long-distance migrations to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter. They are known for their remarkable flying abilities, spending the majority of their lives in flight. Common Swifts feed exclusively on airborne insects, capturing prey in mid-air using their wide gape and specialized bristles around the mouth. During the breeding season, Common Swifts form breeding colonies in cavities or crevices, where they construct nests from feathers, grass, and other materials glued together with their saliva. They are colonial nesters, often nesting in large groups, and exhibit strong fidelity to their nesting sites, returning year after year.