House Swift
Apus nipalensis
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<birdfyi-bird slug="apus-nipalensis"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small swift (13-15 cm) found across South and Southeast Asia from Japan through China to Indonesia. Dark plumage with a white rump and square tail. Aerial insectivore. Colonial nester on buildings, bridges, and cliffs. Very common in Asian cities and towns.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 26.0 cm | 10.2 in |
| Weight | 28.15 g | 0.99 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Small; dark sooty-brown; white rump patch; white throat; underparts dark; square-ended tail; East and Southeast Asian colonial swift; closely resembles Little Swift but slightly larger and marginally different in rump shape.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found from Afghanistan east through South and Southeast Asia to Japan and Indonesia. Common in urban areas and hill country up to 2,500 m.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate aerial forager catching small flies, aphids, winged termites, and airborne spiders on the wing.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: O,PN. Incubation: 18-26 days. Fledging: 36-51 days.
Clutch Size
1-5
Sound
Song
Soft, melodic warbling phrase with flowing quality; gentle notes weaving smoothly, typical of damp tropical forest mornings.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Apus |
| Species | Apus nipalensis |
Distribution
House Swift has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family