Apus alexandri
The Cape Verde Swift (Apus alexandri) is a sleek, medium-sized aerial master, entirely endemic to the volcanic Cape Verde archipelago in the central Atlantic. Measuring approximately 13-14 cm in length with a wingspan of around 30-35 cm, this swift presents a predominantly sooty-brown plumage, often appearing uniformly dark against the sky. A subtle, paler greyish-white throat patch, sometimes difficult to discern, serves as a key identification mark against its darker body. Its deeply forked...
This specialized swift thrives in the arid, rocky landscapes of the Cape Verde Islands, often found near coastal cliffs, mountainous slopes, and even within urban areas where buildings offer suitable nesting sites. It occupies a wide elevational range, from sea level up into the higher reaches of...
The diet of the Cape Verde Swift consists exclusively of aerial plankton, primarily small flying insects and arthropods, which it captures on the wing. It employs a continuous hawking strategy, filtering the air for prey with its wide gape.
The Cape Verde Swift exemplifies the highly aerial lifestyle of its family, spending virtually its entire day on the wing, tirelessly soaring and foraging high above the islands. Roosting occurs communally within narrow cliff crevices, caves, or beneath the eaves of buildings, where they cling ve...
The Cape Verde Swift is an island endemic, with its entire global breeding and resident range restricted solely to the Cape Verde archipelago in the central Atlantic Ocean. It is found year-round across most, if not all, of the main islands, including Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolau, Sal, B...
Least Concern
- The Cape Verde Swift is entirely endemic to the Cape Verde archipelago, found nowhere else on Earth. - It spends an extraordinary amount of its life airborne, rarely landing except to nest or roost. - Like many swifts, it is believed to be capable of sleeping while flying, performing a form of ...