Plain Swift

Swifts have very short legs that they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces. They never settle voluntarily on the ground, and spend most of their lives in the air, feeding on insects that they catch in their beaks. They drink on the wing.

The Plain Swift is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Plain Swift (Apus unicolor) is a medium-sized swift. Although this bird is superficially similar to a Barn Swallow or House Martin, it is not related to those passerine species. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles. Swifts have very short legs that they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces. They never settle voluntarily on the ground, and spend most of their lives in the air, feeding on insects that they catch in their beaks. More

Plain Swifts seen and photographed at Ponta do Pargo on 19th August 2006. Note the pale impression (in strong sunlight and its angle) of the left bird, similar to that of Pallid Swift. Photos: Juha Niemi, Finland. Plain Swifts seen and photographed at Ponta do Pargo on 19th August 2006. Photos: Juha Niemi, Finland. Madeira on 13th September 2005. Photo: Ole Krogh, Denmark. More

But the Plain Swift on plate 63 should be lighter colored than the Common Swift, whereas it is depicted darker. This is, however just nitpicking when compared with all the faults and deplorable plates found in recent field guides for South America. Thus, once again, birders going to Africa can be envied for another excellent guide they now have available. The text has French names as well (including an index), a good feature in an region that is partly French speaking. More

Plain Swift determination Similar species Apodidae Alpine Swift | Chimney Swift | Fork-tailed Swift | Pallid Swift | Plain Swift | Swift | White-Rumped Swift | White-Throated Needletail | Links to European databases Plain Swift EU report (PDF) Birdlife factsheet of Plain Swift Plain Swift EU population trend (PDF) Plain Swift EU species More

For the purposes of our bird news services, Plain Swift is classed as ungraded: species which are unlikely to appear as wild birds in Britain or Ireland (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance. More

Plain Swifts common below 1000 metres. Yellow-legged Gulls (6) above Arona. More

Plain Swift Apus unicolor is sometimes included in this species. Cape Verde Swift Apus alexandri is sometimes included in this species. Distribution: Eurasia; winters in tropical and s Africa (Map) Taxon info Pictures On Internet Who X? Dist. References: James F. Clements. More

Plain Swift in Spain Photo of Plain Swift Population and distribution of Plain Swift in Spain News and information on Plain Swift in Spain English-Spanish-Catalan translation of Plain Swift * Plain Swift : vencejo unicolor : falciot unicolor : Apus unicolor * Birds in Spain guide * Birds in Spain news * Rural tourism and accommodation guide to Spain More

Martins it was easy to see that the Plain Swift is smaller than the Common Swift. A little later a Barn Swallow was seen. I don't know how common Western Yellow-legged Gulls are at 1400 m elevation, but we saw 1 at Pa More

The Plain Swift is found in a range of habitats from the sea to the highest parts of the islands, as long as there are flying insects for them to eat. Breeding This species nests in small colonies, laying two eggs at a time. Two sets of eggs are frequently laid each year. More

The Plain Swift (Apus unicolor) is a medium-sized swift. Although this bird is superficially similar to a Barn Swallow or House Martin, it is completely unrelated to those passerine species. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles. More

Plain Swift, , Tenerife 12/05 © Simon Woolley Send this as a postcard Plain Swift - Plain Swift, Madeira, Porto Santo Aug 2006 © PHIL JONES Plain Swift - Plain Swift, Tenerife, Mount Teide March 08 © Ian Merrill Plain Swift - Showing Records 1 through 3 of 3 Total Records More

held White Wagtail, Lesser Short-Toed Lark plus Plain Swift in with Pallid Swifts and bonus Sand Martin. 3) El Cotillo (C&C 2) a) On the coast, numerous waders and gulls, also Chiffchaff in bushes. Plain to the south held Cream-coloured Courser (with chick), Lesser Short-toed Lark, Trumpeter Finch etc and was the best site for Black-bellied Sandgrouse - particularly coming to drink at Casas de Taca, where Barbary Partridge also seen. More

Plain Swift - Definition = Plain Swift Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae Genus: Apus Species: unicolor Binomial name Apus unicolor More