Alpine Swift
Tachymarptis melba
The Alpine Swift is a rare but exciting sight in Britain, typically seen during the summer months when individuals may wander into the country, particularly in the southern regions. They are more commonly associated with mountainous regions of southern Europe, Africa, and Asia, where they breed and migrate to.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Alpine Swift in the field.
At a glance, the Alpine Swift can be identified by its pale underside, dark brown back, and distinctive white throat patch, as well as its long, curved wings and forked tail. Its overall silhouette is sleek and streamlined, with a broad wing span.
The Alpine Swift is slightly larger than a House Martin, with a more robust build and longer wings.
The male Alpine Swift has a dark brown upperparts, with a pale grey-brown underside and a distinctive white throat patch, with a grey-brown breast band separating the pale throat from the belly.
Similar to the male, with no significant seasonal variation in plumage.
The Alpine Swift has a loud, high-pitched scream, often described as a sharp "zee-zee-zee" or "kee-kee-kee", which is usually heard when birds are in flight or interacting with each other.
Alpine Swifts are aerial feeders, catching insects in mid-air with their long, pointed wings and agile flight, and are rarely seen settling on the ground or on vegetation, preferring to cling to vertical surfaces when perched.
The Alpine Swift can be confused with the Common Swift, but can be distinguished by its pale underside, white throat patch, and broader wing span, as well as its more robust build and longer wings.
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