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ShrublandCavity nestSmall · 22 g
ID tip
This 14–15.5 cm (5.5–6.1 in) long species has, like some relatives, a short forked tail and long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. It is entirely dark except for a pale throat patch and a narrow white rump. It is similar to the closely related little swift, but is slimmer, darker and has a more forked tail and a narrower white rump. Voice: This is a quiet species compared to little swift, but a twittering trill is sometimes given.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the White-rumped Swift
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 8 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is December, the month with the most records.
Where to see the White-rumped Swift
The map shades 36 countries with regular records, and 10 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in France, Sweden, Morocco, Denmark, Italy, Mauritania, United Kingdom, Gambia, Senegal, Sudan.
About the White-rumped Swift
The white-rumped swift is a species of swift. Although this small bird is superficially similar to a house martin, it is not closely related to that passerine species. The resemblances between the swallows and swifts are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Pallid SwiftApus pallidusThis 16–17 cm (6.3–6.7 in) long species is very similar to the common swift, and separation is only possible with good views.
House SwiftApus nipalensisThe house swift looks quite similar to the little swift.
Fork-tailed SwiftApus pacificusAt 17–18 cm (6.7–7.1 in) in length, the Pacific swift is the largest of the Apus swifts.
Side by side: Common Swift vs White-rumped Swift · Little Swift vs White-rumped Swift · House Swift vs White-rumped Swift · Pallid Swift vs White-rumped Swift · Fork-tailed Swift vs White-rumped Swift
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