Pallid Swift — Overview

The Pallid Swift is a small, highly aerial bird in the swift family Apodidae renowned for spending almost its entire life on the wing — eating, drinking, mating and even sleeping while flying.

Key Characteristics

• Scientific Name: Apus pallidus

• Size: ~16–17 cm long with very long, swept-back wings and a subtly forked tail.

• Plumage: Dark brown overall but generally paler than Common Swift, with a distinctive white throat patch and slightly lighter underparts and rump.

• Call: Sharp, high-pitched screaming calls typical of swifts.

• Habitat: Open skies — they almost never perch on the ground, only landing to nest.

Diet & Behaviour

• Feeding: Aerial insectivore — catches insects in flight.

• Flight Life: Can drink and feed on the wing, and remains airborne outside the breeding season.

Migration

• Migratory: Breeds in warmer regions and migrates long distances — often wintering in southern Africa or parts of Southeast Asia.