Common Swift

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.

Swifts vocalise with a piercing screaming “shreee” call, particularly when flying in groups.

Known collective nouns for a group of Swifts are as follows:

• a box of swifts
• a drift of swifts
• a flock of swifts
• a screaming frenzy of swifts
• a swoop of swifts

There are roughly 100 different species of swift around the world but only the Common Swift nests within the UK. Swifts generally arrive from sub-Saharan Africa in late April early May and depart in late August. They nest in May and June and prefer old buildings and small holes in roof spaces. Old barns and churches are ideal but modern houses no longer have open eaves and gables and this is having a detrimental effect on the birds with UK numbers falling. Swifts often return to the same nest year after year which they line with feathers, leaves and grasses they collect during flight then bond together with saliva. Once away from their nest they can be seen in any and every environment and region within the UK.

Don’t confuse the swift with the swallow or house martin which are both smaller and have a white underside. Swallows and house martins can also perch whilst swifts cannot. Their aerobatics whilst in large groups are wonderful to behold with rapid changes of speed and direction.

Whilst the swift has a small beak it has a large gape enabling the bird to easily catch flying insects whilst it, itself, is also on the wing. It only feeds on small flying insects. Once caught these insects collect in a pouch at the back of the swift’s throat where they form a pellet that can be either swallowed or regurgitated to feed chicks.

One brood of 2 – 3 smooth white eggs is laid in May or June and incubated in turn by both parents.

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.

The lifespan of the common swift is up to 10 years. The oldest ringed bird lived for at least 21 years.

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.

This small to medium-sized bird has a plain sooty brown plumage often perceived as black in colour when seen soaring and gliding through the air. A small pale throat patch completes its make up. It is unlikely you will see one land as they spend their lives on the wing apart from when they nest, from May to June. They feed on the wing and even breed and sleep during flight. Their pointed scythe shaped wings and forked tail, coupled with their short head and tiny bill are an excellent aid to identification. Whilst difficult to observe in flight, they have minute feet with four forward-pointing toes rendering them unable to perch on overhead wires or small branches.