Alpine Swift
Tachymarptis melba
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<birdfyi-bird slug="tachymarptis-melba"></birdfyi-bird>Acerca de
A large swift (20-22 cm, wingspan 54-60 cm) with a white belly and throat contrasting with dark brown upperparts. Found from southern Europe and Africa to Central Asia. Aerial insectivore, foraging at great heights. Nests on cliff faces in large colonies. Powerful, fast flier.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Envergadura | 43,9 cm | 17.3 in |
| Peso | 97,5 g | 3.44 oz |
Identificación
Plumaje
Large; dark brown upperparts; white throat patch separated from white belly by dark brown breast band; brown flanks; bold tricoloured underpart pattern; one of Europe's largest swifts with distinctive white throat and belly.
Habitat & Range
Distribución geográfica
Breeds from southern Europe and North Africa east through Central Asia and the Himalayas to India. Migratory; winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
Diet & Feeding
Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal columns.
Estado de conservación
Comportamiento y reproducción
Nidificación
Nest type: SA. Incubation: 17-23 days. Fledging: 53-66 days.
Tamaño de la puesta
1-4
Sonido
Canto
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
Taxonomía
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Orden | Caprimulgiformes (Chotacabras y Vencejos) |
| Familia | Apodidae (Vencejos) |
| Genus | Tachymarptis |
| Especies | Tachymarptis melba |
Distribution
Alpine Swift has been recorded in 3 countries.
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External Databases
Preguntas frecuentes
What does the Alpine Swift eat?
Where does the Alpine Swift live?
Is the Alpine Swift endangered?
How does the Alpine Swift nest?
What does the Alpine Swift sound like?
How big is the Alpine Swift?
What order and family does the Alpine Swift belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family