The white-rumped swift (Apus caffer) 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.
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.
Calledit
This is a quiet species compared to little swift, but a twittering trill is sometimes given.
Habitsedit
Like other swifts they have very short legs that they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces. They never settle voluntarily on the ground, and spend most of their lives in the air, feeding on insects that they catch in their beaks. Like other swifts they drink on the wing.
Habitatedit
The habitat of this species is dictated by that of its hosts, and is therefore normally man-made structures such as bridges and buildings.
Breeding rangeedit
White-rumped swifts breed in much of sub-SaharanAfrica, and have expanded into Morocco and southern Spain. The populations in Spain, Morocco and the south of Africa are migratory, although their wintering grounds are not definitively known. Birds in tropical Africa are resident apart from seasonal movements. In 2022, nesting was observed in Corsica.[2]
Breedingedit
This species appropriates the nests of little swifts and those swallows which build retort-shaped nests. In Europe and north Africa, this usually means the red-rumped swallow, but south of the Sahara other species like wire-tailed swallow are also parasitised. The original owners of the nests are driven away, or the white-rumps settle in the nest and refuse to move. Once occupied, the nest is lined with feathers and saliva, and one or two eggs are laid.
Galleryedit
pair at their nest
Referencesedit
^BirdLife International (2018). "Apus caffer". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22686882A131921201. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22686882A131921201.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Apus caffer.
White-rumped swift - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds.
April 09, 2024
white, rumped, swift, confused, with, white, rumped, swift, apus, caffer, species, swift, although, this, small, bird, superficially, similar, house, martin, closely, related, that, passerine, species, resemblances, between, swallows, swifts, convergent, evolu. Not to be confused with White rumped swiftlet The white rumped swift Apus caffer 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 White rumped swiftConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass AvesClade StrisoresOrder ApodiformesFamily ApodidaeGenus ApusSpecies A cafferBinomial nameApus caffer Lichtenstein MHC 1823 Contents 1 Description 2 Call 3 Habits 4 Habitat 5 Breeding range 6 Breeding 7 Gallery 8 References 9 External linksDescription editThis 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 Call editThis is a quiet species compared to little swift but a twittering trill is sometimes given Habits editLike other swifts they have very short legs that they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces They never settle voluntarily on the ground and spend most of their lives in the air feeding on insects that they catch in their beaks Like other swifts they drink on the wing Habitat editThe habitat of this species is dictated by that of its hosts and is therefore normally man made structures such as bridges and buildings Breeding range editWhite rumped swifts breed in much of sub Saharan Africa and have expanded into Morocco and southern Spain The populations in Spain Morocco and the south of Africa are migratory although their wintering grounds are not definitively known Birds in tropical Africa are resident apart from seasonal movements In 2022 nesting was observed in Corsica 2 Breeding editThis species appropriates the nests of little swifts and those swallows which build retort shaped nests In Europe and north Africa this usually means the red rumped swallow but south of the Sahara other species like wire tailed swallow are also parasitised The original owners of the nests are driven away or the white rumps settle in the nest and refuse to move Once occupied the nest is lined with feathers and saliva and one or two eggs are laid Gallery edit nbsp pair at their nest nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp References edit BirdLife International 2018 Apus caffer IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018 e T22686882A131921201 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2018 2 RLTS T22686882A131921201 en Retrieved 12 November 2021 https www andorin pt en post bien venu martinet cafre 1External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Apus caffer White rumped swift Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title White rumped swift amp oldid 1192294323, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
