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Apus apus
The Common Swift (Apus apus) is a medium-sized bird, similar to the Barn Swallow or House Martin but slightly larger (16–17 cm long with a wingspan of 38–40 cm). It is, however, not a passerine but an apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles. Swifts nearest relatives are thought to be the New World hummingbirds and the Southeast Asian treeswifts. Common Swifts are blackish-brown except for a small white or pale grey patch on their chins which is not visible from a distance. They have a short forked tail and very long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. These birds have very short legs which they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces (hence the German name Mauersegler, literally meaning "wall-glider"). They never settle voluntarily on the ground, where they would be vulnerable to accidents and predation.
Spotted in urban area at Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/400 sec. f/10 ISO Speed Rating: 400. Focal Length: 300.0 mm.
Spotted on Jul 9, 2012
Submitted on Jul 20, 2012
3 Comments
Thanks Malcolm, but as far as I know the Palid Swift is common at the coastline but not inland, at least in Spain
Great photographs Arlanda. The pale brownish colour of the second picture is suggestive of a Pallid Swift as is the size of the white chin patch.
Wow,super spotting arlanda,congrats these kind of flying bird photos are extremly dificult to obtain,very good my friend thanks for sharing