Alpine Swifts
The Alpine Swift is superficially similar to a large Swallow or House Martin but it is completely unrelated to those passerine species. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.
The Alpine Swift is readily distinguished from the Common Swift by its larger size and its white belly and throat. It is around twice as big as most other swifts in its range being 7.9 to 9.1 inches in length and with a wingspan of 22 inches. It is largely dark brown in colour with white patches underneath the beak and on the breast that are separated by a dark brown streak. A dark neck band separates the white throat from the white belly. It has a short forked tail and very long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang but may also be held stretched straight out. Their flight is slower and more powerful than the Common Swift.
Like all swifts, the Alpine Swift has very short legs which are used for clinging to vertical surfaces. It never settles voluntarily on the ground and spends most of its life in the air living on the insects it catches. The Alpine Swift is able to stay in the air for up to 7 months at a time and its vital physiological processes, including sleep, can be performed while in continuous flight.
The Alpine Swift breeds in mountains from south Europe to the Himalayas. Like the Common Swift, it is strongly migratory and winters much further south in south Africa.
The Alpine Swift builds its nest in colonies in a suitable cliff hole or cave and it will return to the same site year after year rebuilding the nest when necessary and pairing for life. It has adapted well to urban conditions and frequently nests in old buildings in towns around the Mediterranean where large, low-flying flocks are a familiar feature in summer.
Date: 14th May 2015
Location: Mount Devas, West Macedonia, Greece
The Alpine Swift is readily distinguished from the Common Swift by its larger size and its white belly and throat. It is around twice as big as most other swifts in its range being 7.9 to 9.1 inches in length and with a wingspan of 22 inches. It is largely dark brown in colour with white patches underneath the beak and on the breast that are separated by a dark brown streak. A dark neck band separates the white throat from the white belly. It has a short forked tail and very long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang but may also be held stretched straight out. Their flight is slower and more powerful than the Common Swift.
Like all swifts, the Alpine Swift has very short legs which are used for clinging to vertical surfaces. It never settles voluntarily on the ground and spends most of its life in the air living on the insects it catches. The Alpine Swift is able to stay in the air for up to 7 months at a time and its vital physiological processes, including sleep, can be performed while in continuous flight.
The Alpine Swift breeds in mountains from south Europe to the Himalayas. Like the Common Swift, it is strongly migratory and winters much further south in south Africa.
The Alpine Swift builds its nest in colonies in a suitable cliff hole or cave and it will return to the same site year after year rebuilding the nest when necessary and pairing for life. It has adapted well to urban conditions and frequently nests in old buildings in towns around the Mediterranean where large, low-flying flocks are a familiar feature in summer.
Date: 14th May 2015
Location: Mount Devas, West Macedonia, Greece
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Also in: West Macedonia
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