Alternative Names (Synonyms)

• Swift.
• Northern Swift.
• European Swift.
• Gierzwaluw (Holland).
• Martinet noir (France).
• Mauersegler (Germany).
• Rondone (Italy).
• Vencejo común (Spain).
• Tornseglare (Sweden).

(B19, B162)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Species Editor

Major References

Aviculture references:

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

• --

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Swallows, Swifts, Nightjars.

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Accommodation of Casualty Swift, Nightjar, Swallow & Martins
• Hand-rearing Swift & Nightjar
• Catching and Handling of Swift, Nightjar, Swallow & Martins
• Feeding of Casualty Swift, Nightjar, Swallow and Martins
• Release of Casualty Swift, Nightjar, Swallow and Martins

Measurement & Weight

• General: 16-17cm / 6 ins (B162, B166); 17-18.5cm (B164); 16cm. (B165)

Wingspan:

• General: 42-48cm (B162); 40-44cm (B164)

Winglength:

• General: 167-178mm. (B162)

Head

Legs

Plumage

• Upperparts: Black.
• Head: Black.
• Underparts: Black; throat grey.
• Wings: Black. underside (whole wing) dark grey.
• Tail: Short and forked; upper and under: black.

(B162, B164, B166)

• Upperparts: Black with white edging to feathers.
• Wings: Black with white edging to feathers.
• Underparts: Throat white.

(B162, B165)

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

• Colonial.
• Territorial defence of nest-site occurs.
• Located in roof of a building or less often, in a hole in a tree.
• Saucer-shaped depression composed of straw, leaves and feathers stuck together with saliva.
• Nest-boxes used.

(B162, B163, B166)

Egg clutches

(B162, B163)

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Completely independent after fledging. (B162)

Social Behaviour

• Gregarious in breeding season, and for most of the year.
• Colonial breeders, usually up to 30-40 pairs, rarely up to 100 pairs.

(B162)

Sexual Behaviour

• Monogamous pair-bonds for life.
• Pair do not associate throughout year, and arrive at breeding site separately.

(B162)

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

• Exclusively aerial lifestyle.
• Takes off and lands on buildings.

(B166)

Adults

• Aphids and other airborne insects.
• Airborne spiders.

(B162, B163, B166)

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Britain: Breeding season only, migrating south by September; not found in north and north-west coast of Scotland. (B166)

Migration:

• All western Palearctic populations migrate southwards to Africa in winter.
• Mass movements also occur during breeding season in relation to poor weather - atmospheric depression and rainfall.

(B162)

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Habitat

• Towns.
• Freshwater lakes.
• Heath and moorland.
• Buildings, cliff faces, and tall trees.

(B162, B166)

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Common throughout range. (B162)

Captive Populations

Trade