Pacific Swift
Apus pacificus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="apus-pacificus"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized swift (17-18 cm) found across eastern Asia from Siberia to Australia. Dark plumage with a white rump patch and deeply forked tail. Aerial insectivore. A long-distance migrant, breeding in Asia and wintering in Southeast Asia and Australasia.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 34.6 cm | 13.6 in |
| Weight | 41.516666666666666 g | 1.46 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Dark blackish-brown upperparts; distinctive white rump patch contrasting with dark back; white throat patch; underparts dark with pale brown barring; deeply forked tail; white rump distinguishes it from Common Swift in East Asian range.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Breeds from Siberia and Japan south to China and the Himalayas. Long-distance migrant wintering in Southeast Asia and Australia.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds aerially on tiny insects and spiders, often following weather fronts where aerial plankton concentrates.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: HC. Incubation: 17 days. Fledging: 40 days.
Clutch Size
1-3
Sound
Song
Thin, reedy trill with nasal overtone; soft chattering notes delivered continuously during rapid low-level flight over fields.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Apus |
| Species | Apus pacificus |
Distribution
Pacific Swift has been recorded in 3 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Pacific Swift eat?
Where does the Pacific Swift live?
Is the Pacific Swift endangered?
How does the Pacific Swift nest?
What does the Pacific Swift sound like?
How big is the Pacific Swift?
What order and family does the Pacific Swift belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family