# Common Swift (*Apus apus*)

> The common swift (Apus apus) spends almost its entire life on the wing, breeding across Europe and wintering in Africa. Adults weigh about 45 g, catch insects in flight, and are listed Least Concern.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Breeds across Europe and Asia; winters in Africa.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/common-swift/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Apodiformes
- **Family:** Apodidae
- **Genus:** Apus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Apus apus |
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Habitat | Open skies over towns and countryside |
| Lifespan | 15–21 years |
| Weight | 0.04–0.05 kg |
| Top speed | up to 110 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Life in the air

Swifts eat, mate, and even sleep on the wing. Tiny feet are useless for perching on the ground; they cling to vertical surfaces. Sickled wings and screaming calls define summer evenings over towns.

## Aerial insect hawker

Flying ants, aphids, and other airborne insects are caught in wide-gaped mouths. Rain fronts and warm thermals concentrate prey high above cities.

## European eaves to African skies

Breeds in roof spaces and cavities from the UK to Russia; winters in sub-Saharan Africa. Arrival in May and departure in August mark the European summer calendar.

## Building renovations matter

Least Concern globally, but UK and EU numbers fell as sealed roofs removed nest holes. Swift bricks and retained eaves help urban colonies persist.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do swifts ever land?

Only to nest and care for young — otherwise they live continuously in flight, even sleeping on the wing.

### Why are swifts called swifts?

Their rapid, direct flight and screaming parties over rooftops feel faster than swallows and martins.

### Where do common swifts nest?

In gaps under roof tiles, eaves, and old buildings — never on the ground.

### How long do swifts live?

Individuals can exceed 20 years, unusually long for a small bird.

### When do swifts leave Europe?

Most depart in August for African wintering grounds, returning the following May.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/common-swift/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.