Plain Swift
Apus unicolor
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<birdfyi-bird slug="apus-unicolor"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized swift (14-15 cm) endemic to the Macaronesian islands of Madeira and the Canaries. Dark brown plumage, slightly paler than Common Swift. Aerial insectivore. Resident population on the islands. Closely related to Common Swift but lacks the pale throat patch.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 29.9 cm | 11.8 in |
| Weight | 24.2 g | 0.85 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Dark sooty-brown plumage; very faint pale chin; no distinct throat patch; entirely plain and uniform; smaller than Common Swift; Macaronesian endemic breeding in Canary Islands and Madeira; coloration slightly paler below than above.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Breeds on the Azores, Madeira, and Canary Islands. Resident on these Macaronesian archipelagos. Closely related to Common Swift.
Diet & Feeding
Exclusively aerial insectivore catching small flying insects and spiders drifting in aerial plankton at altitude.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SA,CV,CR. Incubation: 20 days. Fledging: 37-46 days.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Harsh, grating scream with descending inflection; loud raspy calls carrying urgency, often given during colony disturbance.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Apus |
| Species | Apus unicolor |
Distribution
Plain Swift has been recorded in 2 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Plain Swift eat?
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family