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Common SwiftAlternate name(s): "Swift*" ![]() Size: 17-18.5 cm; wingspan: 40-44 cm Weight: 30-55 g |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
Sex unknown |
Frontal view of a Common Swift in flight; note the small
throat patch and grey frons
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, May 2020]
Near-frontal view of a Common Swift in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2019]
Near-frontal/ventral view of a Common Swift in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]
Lateral view of a Common Swift in flight, wings down
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, May 2020]
Lateral view of a Common Swift in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2019]
Lateral view of a Common Swift in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2019]
Lateral view of a Common Swift in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2019]
Lateral view of a Common Swift in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2020]
Lateral/ventral view of a Common Swift in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2020]
Lateral/ventral view of two Common Swifts in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2015]
Lateral/ventral view of a Pallid Swift in flight; note the
large light-grey throat patch- the bird is probably
calling,
inflating the voice box, which makes the throat patch looks
distended like a full crop
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Nova Milfontes, Alentejo, Portugal, October 2018]
Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Common Swift in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2019]
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: Apr - Sep | Eggs: 1 - 4 | Incubation period: 19 - 20 days | Fledging age: 27 - 45 days |
Usually two eggs are laid.
Nest building: Male selects site | Incubation: Female & male | Dependent care: Female & male |
Common Swifts nest in loose colonies of up to 30-40 pairs, with each pair defending the immediate surroundings of its nest. Only one brood is produced per season, due to the long fledging period of the young.
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Nest |
Type: Hole/hollow in building, tree, cliff, crevace | Material: Grass, leaves, hay, straw | Height above ground: ? |
Common Swift entering its nest hollow
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2017]
Common Swift approaching the entrance to its nest hollow
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, June 2015]
Common Swifts outside the entrance to their nest hollow
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2017]
Common Swift, lower right, pinching nest material from one
of many House
Sparrow nests in the understorey of a
White Stork nest
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]
Common Swift carrying away nest material
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]
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Eggs |
Size: 25 x 17 mm | Colour: White | Shape: Long tapered oval |
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Behaviour |
Social behaviour: Communal | Mobility: Migratory | Elementary unit: Pair/flock |
Common Swifts have the unique ability to mate in-flight.
Common Swifts can perform extreme flight manoeuvres
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2019]
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Food, Diet |
Like other swifts, Common Swifts are insect hunters. They catch and devour their prey in-flight. Common Swifts also drink in-flight and, apart from nesting, will always be airborne.
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
comswft_jp_20200604.m4a | (Portugal) | Contact calls (in-flight) | © JP | |
comswft_jp_20200605.m4a | (Portugal) | Contact calls (in-flight) | © JP | |
comswft_jp_20190616.m4a | (Portugal) | Contact calls (in-flight) | © JP | |
comswft_jp_20190616_2.m4a | (Portugal) | Contact calls (in-flight) | © JP | |
comswft_dw_20160529.m4a | (Poland) | Contact calls (in-flight; distant) | © DW | |
comswft_dw_20160728.m4a | (Poland) | Contact calls (in-flight; distant) | © DW | |
comswft_dw_20170729.m4a | (Poland) | Hawking for insects (in-flight; distant) | © DW |
More Common Swift sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.