What kind of bird is swift?
The common swift (Apus apus), called simply “swift” in Great Britain, is a soft-tailed, black bird that breeds across Eurasia and winters in southern Africa, nesting in buildings and hollow trees; nine other Apus swifts are found throughout temperate regions of the Old World, and some Apus species inhabit South America …
What is special about Swift bird?
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. It has long, scythe-like wings and a short, forked tail.
What is difference between swallow and swift?
Swifts fly in the upper part of the air column as they hunt; swallows pursue insects closer to the ground or water. If the bird is perched on a nest box, power line, or branch, that’s a giveaway: Only swallows have the wherewithal to sit upright.
Why is a swift called a Swift?
The family name, Apodidae, is derived from the Greek ἄπους (ápous), meaning “footless”, a reference to the small, weak legs of these most aerial of birds. The tradition of depicting swifts without feet continued into the Middle Ages, as seen in the heraldic martlet.
What kind of bird is a black swift?
Key information. 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. It has long, scythe-like wings and a short, forked tail. It is a summer visitor, breeding across the UK, but most numerously in the south and east.
Where does the Swift Bird live in the world?
Distribution of the Swift These birds live virtually across the world, save for Antarctica. Various species live throughout North, Central, and South America, as well as Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia. Some species migrate across vast regions, while other species are sedentary and live in the same area.
What kind of nest does a swift bird make?
The nest of a swift is made of twigs, buds, moss, or feathers and is glued with its sticky saliva to the wall of a cave or the inside of a chimney, rock crack, or hollow tree.
How is a common swift similar to a barn swallow?
The common swift ( Apus apus) 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.
What is a common swift?
Common swift. The common swift (Apus apus) 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.
What sound does a chimney swift make?
Common chimney swift sounds primarily consist of a twittering call produced by a series of rapid, high-pitched chirps. Each call lasts about three seconds. In groups, the chirping can sound like buzzing insects.
What is a chimney swift habitat?
Chimney Swifts breed in urban and suburban habitats across the eastern half of the United States and southern Canada. They are most common in areas with a large concentration of chimneys for nest sites and roosts. In rural areas they may still nest in hollow trees, tree cavities, or caves.
