Alpine Swift
Tachymarptis melba
Habitat
Aerial
Diet
Invertebrate
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
100 g
About This Species
A large, powerful swift found from southern Europe and Africa across to Asia, best known for spectacular high-speed flight around cliffs, gorges and tall buildings where it breeds in colonies. It feeds entirely in the air on insects, often foraging at considerable height, and is most conspicuous on warm, calm days when it can be seen screaming past in fast, low passes near nest sites. Coastal cliffs, mountain crags and historic towers are classic places to watch it well.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Since this species is normally watched in flight from below, straightforward observation from a safe distance at cliff edges or building bases causes no disturbance and is the appropriate approach.
- Wildlife protection laws differ among the many countries across its wide range, so travellers should check local rules, especially around historic buildings and cliffs used as nest sites.
- Avoiding activities that disturb cliff faces or nesting crevices, such as climbing near active colonies during the breeding season, helps protect these birds.
LCAvesApodiformesApodidae
Seasonal Activity
235,806 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Apodidae
Traits
- Diet
- Invertebrate
- Foraging
- Aerial
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 100 g
Photo
(c) Paulo Caseirito, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Paulo Caseirito
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.