Pallid Swift
Least ConcernApus pallidus
Visual Identification
Pallid Swift
Appearance
The Pallid Swift is a sleek, streamlined bird with long, curved wings and a forked tail.
Its plumage is predominantly greyish-brown, lighter than its close relative, the Common Swift. The throat is noticeably paler, often appearing white, which contrasts with the darker body.
Both sexes look alike, with juveniles showing faint pale edges to their feathers. The Pallid Swift does not undergo significant seasonal plumage changes, unlike some swifts.
Size
Length
16cm to 17cm
Wingspan
39cm to 44cm
Weight
30g to 50g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Grey
Secondary Colour
White
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Pallid Swifts inhabit a range spanning from Southern Europe and North Africa to Central Asia. They prefer warm, dry climates, often found in coastal areas, mountains, and urban environments. These birds nest on cliffs, in caves, and increasingly on buildings in towns and cities.
During the breeding season, they are common in Mediterranean countries and also breed on the Atlantic islands of the Canaries and Madeira. Additionally, they have breeding grounds in Gibraltar, north Africa, Israel, the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
They are rare visitors in the UK, occasionally spotted along the south coast during migration periods.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 2,700 meters
Climate zones
Mediterranean, Subtropical, Temperate
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Pallid Swifts are insectivores, feeding exclusively on flying insects and airborne spiders caught on the wing.
They forage at various heights, from near ground level to high altitudes, depending on weather conditions and insect availability. Their diet includes flies, aphids, small beetles, flying ants, and even drifting spiders.
They also drink on the wing, and the sight of them swooping down to the surface of a lake or reservoir and dipping their bills to scoop up water is commonplace.
Behaviour
Pallid Swifts are highly aerial birds, spending most of their lives on the wing. They feed, drink, and even sleep while flying, only landing to nest.
These birds are social, often seen in large, screaming flocks, especially during migration and in the evening when they gather to roost.
Vocalisation
The Pallid Swift's call is a high-pitched, piercing scream, often described as 'sree-sree' or 'skree-skree'. These calls are frequently heard in groups, creating a distinctive chorus, especially during their evening flights.
Their vocalisations are slightly lower-pitched and less harsh than those of the Common Swift.
Nesting & Breeding
Pallid Swifts typically breed between May and August. They form monogamous pairs and often return to the same nesting sites year after year. These birds nest in small colonies, using crevices in cliffs or buildings.
The nest is a small cup made of feathers, plant material, and saliva. Females lay 2-3 white eggs, which both parents incubate for about 20 days.
Chicks fledge after 42-56 days but may return to the nest to roost for several days after their first flight. Parents continue to feed fledglings in flight for a short period.
Lifespan
years
The Pallid Swift typically lives for 5 to 10 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Pallid Swift is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, it faces challenges from habitat loss and climate change. Urban development can reduce nesting sites, but some populations have adapted to use buildings.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites and monitoring population trends.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Pallid Swifts in urban areas, especially around tall buildings or cliffs
- Observe their flight pattern: more buoyant and slower than Common Swifts
- Listen for their distinctive screaming calls, especially in groups
- In the UK, check coastal areas during late spring and early autumn for migrating individuals
- It is unlikely to find a pallid swift on the ground as, with all swifts, the legs are unable to support the bird’s body weight sufficiently to walk, and life is spent predominantly in the air
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Pale Swift
Family:
ApodidaePredators
Pallid Swifts face predation mainly from aerial hunters such as falcons and hawks. Ground-based predators like cats may occasionally catch low-flying or grounded individuals.
Did You Know?
- Pallid Swifts can fly continuously for up to ten months without landing.
- They drink and bathe on the wing by skimming water surfaces.
- These birds have the ability to enter a state of torpor to conserve energy during cold spells.
- The bird’s tiny feet are used to cling to rough surfaces as they negotiate passage to their nests, but they cannot perch on branches or overhead cables.
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References
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website: BirdLife International. 2019. Apus pallidus (amended version of 2018 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22686815A155463151.
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