Alpine Swift

Tachymarptis melba

Soaring high above mountain peaks, this aerial acrobat spends most of its life on the wing, touching down only to nest.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Alpine Swift is characterised by its large size among swifts, with a sleek, streamlined body. Its upperparts are a uniform dark brown, contrasting sharply with a white belly and throat, separated by a brown breast band. Their long, narrow, and sickle-shaped wings are perfectly adapted for sustained flight.

Both sexes are similar in appearance, with juveniles closely resembling adults but showing slightly paler feather edges. The bird maintains this plumage year-round, with no significant seasonal variations.

Size

Length

20cm to 23cm

Wingspan

54cm to 60cm

Weight

76g to 120g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown White

Secondary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Alpine Swift is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Alpine Swift is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Alpine Swift is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Alpine Swift is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Alpine Swift can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Alpine Swift is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Alpine Swift is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Alpine Swift is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Alpine Swift is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Alpine Swift is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Alpine Swift can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Alpine Swift is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Alpine Swifts inhabit many environments, from high mountain cliffs to lowland areas and urban settings. They are found across southern Europe, parts of Asia, and Africa. Their breeding range extends from the Mediterranean to the Himalayas.

During winter, these birds migrate to sub-Saharan Africa and parts of southern Asia. They are occasional visitors in the UK, most often spotted along the south coast during spring and autumn migrations.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,800 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Alpine Swift. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons