The Common Swift -Apus apus – is the most aerial of land birds, not landing in 3 years. Common Swifts are migratory and in midsummer they are found in the UK and northern Europe, while they winter much further south in Southern Africa. These Swifts have been known to live for as long as 21 years. It can survive bad weather by entering what is called torpor, a coma-like condition in which its metabolism slows to almost nothing. 

Description

Common Swifts are entirely blackish-brown except for a small white patch on the chin. They have a short forked tail and very long swept-back wings. The sexes are alike.

Call

The call is a loud scream in two different tone pitches, of which the higher one is from the female and the lower one from the male. They often form 'screaming parties' during summer evenings where about 10-15 gather and fly around in circles, all calling out to each other.

Food

They feed on flying insects and spiders which they catch in their beaks. Common Swift’s drink, feed, mate and sleep on the wing.

Breeding

They will build their nests in all suitable hollows in buildings, under window sills, in the corner rafters of wooden buildings, in chimneys, and in smokestacks. A swift will return to the same nesting site year after year, rebuilding its nest when necessary. These swifts lay 2-3 eggs and breed and hatch the chicks together. The young birds are ready to fly in about 40 days.  

Conservation Status – Least Concern

Not threatened.

Birdwatching

The Common Swift can be seen during the Southern African Summer, [The Northern Winter] on the following Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -

Aves Arid Birding Tour / Safari /Adventure.

Aves Eastern Cape Birding Tour / Safari /Adventure.

Aves Highlands / Tembe Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.

Aves KZN Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.

Aves North East Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.

Aves North West Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.

Aves Western Cape Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.

Aves West Coast Birding Tour / Safari /Adventure.