white-rumped swift

bird

Also known as: Apus caffer

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Last updated

July 15, 2026

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The white-rumped swift (Apus caffer) is a species of swift, which are agile, fast-flying birds belonging to the family Apodidae. These birds are found almost worldwide, except for polar regions and some parts of Australia and South America. White-rumped swifts are typically black with white markings, particularly on the rump. They have long wings, powerful bodies, and tiny feet adapted for clinging to vertical surfaces rather than walking. Swifts are aerial insectivores, capturing insects in flight with their wide mouths. They are known for their incredible speed and efficiency in the air, with some species believed to reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Their nests are constructed from materials like twigs and saliva, often found in chimneys, caves, or hollow trees.1

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swift
The white-rumped swift (Apus caffer), soft-tailed and black with white markings, is resident throughout Africa south of the Sahara. The white-throated swift (Aeronautes saxatalis), soft-tailed and black with white markings, breeds in western North America and winters in southern Central America, nesting on vertical rock cliffs.
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The white-rumped swift (Apus caffer), soft-tailed and black with white markings, is resident throughout Africa south of the Sahara. The white-throated swift (Aeronautes saxatalis), soft-tailed and black with white markings, breeds in western North America and winters in southern Central America, nesting on vertical rock cliffs.
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