Apodi

The Apodi are a suborder of birds within the order Apodiformes, primarily comprising the swifts. These birds are characterized by their exceptional aerial abilities, with swifts being agile fliers that share certain wing structure peculiarities with hummingbirds, though their evolutionary relationship is debated.12

Swifts are often mistaken for swallows but are distinct. Some species, like swiftlets in Southeast Asia, are economically important for their nests, which are used to make bird's nest soup. Swifts exhibit a range of sizes and have varied tail shapes. They are found globally, with many species being migratory. Their locomotion is almost entirely aerial; they have weak feet and typically cling to vertical surfaces when not in flight.1

The Apodi family, Apodidae, includes true swifts and is known for birds with flat skulls and swallow-like appearances.3