Tachymarptis melba
The Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba) is a magnificent, large aerial insectivore renowned for its powerful and graceful flight. Averaging 20-22 cm in length with an impressive wingspan of 54-60 cm and weighing 75-120g, it is noticeably larger than its common swift relatives. Its most distinctive field marks include pure white underparts contrasting sharply with dark brown upperparts and wings, bisected by a prominent dark breast band. Taxonomically, it belongs to the family Apodidae, order Ap...
Predominantly found in mountainous regions, high cliffs, rocky gorges, and increasingly in urban environments with tall buildings and old structures, typically at elevations ranging from sea level up to 4000 meters.
Exclusively insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of aerial insects including beetles, flies, aphids, lacewings, and hymenopterans, captured on the wing at high altitudes.
Alpine Swifts are diurnal and spend the vast majority of their lives airborne, even roosting communally on vertical cliff faces or often sleeping while flying at high altitudes. They are highly efficient aerial insectivores, foraging in dynamic, swirling flocks, often ascending to several thousan...
The Alpine Swift boasts a vast and fragmented breeding range spanning across Southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of the Indian Subcontinent and western China. In Europe, breeding populations are concentrated in the Mediterranean basin, including the Iberian Pen...
Least Concern
- The Alpine Swift is one of the few bird species known to sleep on the wing, remaining airborne for months at a time, performing 'microsleeps' while gliding. - It can reach impressive flight speeds, often exceeding 100 km/h (60 mph), making it one of the fastest birds in horizontal flight. - The...