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AKA: Common swiftWhat Does The Swift look like ?
In flight long sickle shaped wings and forked tail. The swift is a medium-sized aerial bird, which is a superb flier. It evens sleeps on the wing! It s plumage is black sooty brown, with a white throat but in flight against the sky it appears black. Never on the ground .It is a summer visitor, breeding across the UK, but most numerously in the south and east. It winters in Africa.
How Big Is It ?
Aprox 16. 5 cm , weighing 43 g
Where does it live?
Breeding
In buildings, especially older ones where there is suitable access into the roof space.
Wintering
AfricaWhen does it Breed ?
May to July , 2 - 3 eggs, Incubation 18 - 2o days , young fledging at 40 to 50 days, Nests in colonies in farm outbuildings cliffs and under rooves .
Where to see it
Look up in the sky in summer, often very high. They never perch on wires like swallows. You might see excited screaming parties of them careering madly at high speed around rooftops and houses, often low, especially towards dusk.
What does it eat?
Flying insects and airborne spiders.
What does it sound like?
It makes a prolonged, shrill screaming call in flight.
When to see it
April – August.
Similar speciesSwallow, House martin
