Swift (Apus apus)
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CC-BY Kostis Tzortzakakis
Looks like
The swift has long, pointy wings and a forked tail. It is often confused with the swallow, but the the two species are unrelated. It has a brownish colour and is of relatively small size (ca. 17cm). The swift has a small, thin beak which it uses to catch insects from the air. It has a characteristic high, shrill and piercing voice.
Where and when to spot it
The swift is a bird of the city! It nests on buildings, in cracks, under roof tiles etc. In our area we can only observe it during spring and summer, while in autumn it migrates to Africa, where it overwinters.
Interesting facts
The swift is a master of the air - it has excellent flying abilities and spends most of its time aloft. Therefore, its feet are modified to clasp walls and other vertical surfaces. It can even mate and sleep while flying!
