- general description
- appearance
- the little swift is a small, fast-flying bird with a sooty-brown to blackish body.
- it has a slightly paler throat and rump, which can appear white in certain lights.
- its wings are long and narrow, and its tail is short and squared.
- the legs are short and not used for perching, as swifts spend most of their time in flight.
- size:
- measures about 13-15 cm in length.
- typically weighs around 25-30 grams.
- wingspan is about 32-34 cm.
- behavior
- known for its incredible aerial agility, often seen flying rapidly and making sharp turns.
- it spends most of its life on the wing, feeding, mating, and even sleeping in flight.
- emits high-pitched, twittering calls while flying.
- habitat
- range
- widely distributed across africa, southern europe, and asia, including the indian subcontinent.
- environment
- inhabits a variety of environments including urban areas, cliffs, and open countryside.
- often nests on buildings, under bridges, and on cliffs.
- diet
- primarily insectivorous, feeding on flying insects and spiders caught in flight.
- capable of catching hundreds of insects per day, contributing to pest control.
- breeding
- nesting
- builds a nest of feathers and plant material glued together with saliva, usually placed in crevices, under eaves, or on cliffs.
- nests are often reused and repaired each year.
- reproduction
- breeding season varies across its range but generally occurs during the warmer months.
- female lays 2-3 eggs, which are incubated for about 18-20 days.
- both parents participate in feeding the chicks until they fledge, which takes about 35-40 days.
- conservation status
- currently not considered endangered or vulnerable.
- listed as least concern by the iucn due to its wide range and stable population.
- interesting facts
- the little swift’s aerial lifestyle is so extreme that it can spend up to 10 months a year in continuous flight, only landing to breed.
- their feet are adapted for clinging to vertical surfaces, as they do not perch like typical birds.
- they are highly social and often seen in large flocks, especially when roosting or feeding.