Alpine Swift

1 month ago door Esther Esser

Points: 75

Spotted

A large, long-winged swift with a striking white belly and throat, contrasting sharply with its dark brown plumage. It is often associated with mountainous regions.

Where to spot

Mountains, cliffs, and urban areas with tall buildings across Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, migrating to Africa for winter.

How to spot

Look for their distinctive large size, broad wings, and the prominent white belly contrasting with dark underparts. They often fly high and fast, circling over open areas or around cliffs and tall structures.

When to spot

Breeding season (spring/summer) when they are most active around their nesting sites. Active throughout the day.

Where to spot

Mountains, cliffs, and urban areas with tall buildings across Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, migrating to Africa for winter.

How to spot

When to spot

Breeding season (spring/summer) when they are most active around their nesting sites. Active throughout the day.

Credits: Door Lefteris Stavrakas - Βουνοσταχτάρα Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66012392

Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Alpine Swifts spend an extraordinary amount of their lives in the air, feeding, drinking, and even sleeping while soaring. They are known to remain airborne for months at a time without landing.

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