common swift

The common swift (Apus apus) is a fast-flying bird belonging to the family Apodidae, known for its agile flight and insectivorous diet. These birds have long wings and compact bodies, typically dull gray, brown, or black, with some species having pale markings. Their feet are small and weak, primarily used for clinging to vertical surfaces, as they have difficulty on flat ground. Swifts capture insects in mid-air with their wide mouths and can also drink, bathe, and mate on the wing. They build nests from saliva-glued materials like twigs and moss, often in chimneys, rock crevices, or hollow trees. The common swift breeds across Eurasia and winters in southern Africa.1