Species Profile
Common Swift
Apus apus
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: European Swift, Eurasian Swift
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Appearance
The Common Swift is a sleek, sickle-shaped bird with long, narrow wings and a short, forked tail. Its plumage is predominantly sooty brown, appearing black in flight, with a small pale throat patch. The body is streamlined, with a flat head and short, wide beak.
Juveniles closely resemble adults but may have slightly paler feather edges. There is no significant difference between males and females in appearance. The swift's plumage remains consistent throughout the year, with no seasonal variations.
While challenging to observe in flight, they have miniature feet with four forward-pointing toes, which prevent them from perching on overhead wires or small branches.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Common Swifts breed across Europe and parts of Asia, from the UK and Spain eastward to China. They prefer urban and suburban areas, nesting in buildings, but they also inhabit woodlands, cliffs, and other natural sites.
These birds are summer visitors to their breeding grounds, spending winters in sub-Saharan Africa. In the UK, they arrive in late April or early May and depart by August, making them a cherished sign of summer.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Rutland
Cambridgeshire
Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Cumbria
Berkshire
Bristol
Cheshire
Cornwall
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Merseyside
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
London
Manchester
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
West Midlands
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Surrey
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Common Swifts are insectivores, feeding exclusively on flying insects and airborne spiders caught on the wing. They forage at high altitudes, consuming a wide variety of prey, including flies, aphids, and small beetles.
Once caught, these insects collect in a pouch at the back of the swift’s throat, forming a pellet that can be either swallowed or regurgitated to feed chicks.
Swifts can adjust their foraging altitude based on weather conditions and insect availability.
Behaviour
Common Swifts are aerial masters, spending most of their lives on the wing. They feed, drink, mate, and even sleep while flying, only landing to nest.
These birds are highly social, often seen in screaming parties, swirling around buildings and calling to each other in excitement.
Calls & Sounds
The Common Swift's most recognisable call is a high-pitched, piercing scream, often described as 'sree-sree' or 'swee-ree'. These calls are frequently heard in urban areas as swifts swoop and circle in groups, especially on summer evenings.
They also produce softer, chattering sounds when at the nest.
Nesting & Breeding
Common Swifts form monogamous pairs that often reunite at the same nest site year after year. The breeding season typically begins in May upon their return from migration.
Nests are simple platforms made of feathers, plant material, and saliva, usually located in the crevices of buildings or cliff faces. Females lay 2-3 white eggs, which both parents incubate.
Incubation lasts about 20 days, with chicks fledging after 37-56 days. Young swifts exercise their wings in the nest before taking their first flight, after which they become fully independent and may not land again for two to three years.
Conservation
While listed as Least Concern globally, Common Swift populations are declining in parts of Europe, including the UK. Loss of nesting sites due to building renovations and insect decline are primary threats.
Conservation efforts focus on providing artificial nest boxes and preserving existing nesting locations.
Elevation
Up to 3,300 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Common Swifts have few natural predators due to their aerial lifestyle. However, they may occasionally fall prey to falcons, particularly the Hobby, and other birds of prey.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for sickle-shaped silhouettes high in the sky, especially on summer evenings
- Listen for their distinctive screaming calls in urban areas
- Observe their swift, agile flight patterns as they chase insects
- In the UK, watch for them around old buildings and church towers during breeding season
- Don’t confuse the swift with the swallow or house martin, which are smaller and have a white underside. Swallows and house martins can also perch, whilst swifts cannot.
Did You Know?
- Common Swifts can fly continuously for up to 10 months without landing.
- They are among the fastest birds in level flight, reaching speeds of over 110 km/h (around 70 mph).
- They can fly an average of 570 km per day, with the fastest swifts covering up to 832 km in a single day.
- Swifts are unable to take off from a flat surface due to their extremely short legs.
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