Swifts (Apodidae)

 

The Apodidae are found on all continents except Antarctica. The family contains two or three subfamilies, 19 genera, and 92-95 species. Their plumage is black or brown, sometimes with white, chestnut or reddish on the throat or rump. The wings are sickle-shaped, and well adapted for high-speed flight. The legs are short and the feet are small, however, curved claws and modified tail-feathers with spiny tips allow swifts to move around on vertical surfaces.

Swifts are found in many habitats, including forests, scrublands, grasslands, deserts, and urban areas; from sea level to 4,000 m. Species living in temperate areas are migratory. Swifts usually nest in colonies in caves, cliffs, tree cavities, but also in man-made structures (e.g., chimneys and under eves of buildings). Most species use saliva to bind nest material and attach their nests to a vertical surface. Some swifts also use saliva to glue their eggs to the nest. Clutch size 1-5. Incubation lasts 14-32 days. The young are altricial and stay in the nest for 5-8 weeks. Swifts feed on the wing, often in large mixed-species flocks, consuming swarming insects such as mayflies, dipterans, winged ants, aphids, dragonflies, beetles, etc.

 

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