Pallid Swift

Pallid Swift in Tarifa, Spain

The Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus ) is a species of bird in the family of sailors ( Apodidae ). The nature sees frequent in Central Europe swifts very similar, comes, though, Europe only in the extreme south.

Description

Pallid Swifts are as large as swifts and also have the same physique. They have a short forked tail, a torpedo-shaped body and long, crescent-shaped wings. They reach a length of 16 to 18 centimeters. The wing length is 16.5 to 18 inches, the beak length about 0.5 cm and weight 32 to 44 grams.

Also in terms of coloring, he is very similar to the swifts. The rußfarbene plumage coloration contrasts with a distinctive white throat patch, which is often visible from a distance. Compared with the swifts he is stocky, lightens and brown on the bottom and here is a fine scaling. In addition, the inner primaries and secondaries are the slightly lighter brown than the rest of the plumage, contrasting therefore with the rest of the base color. The pervasive, high reputation of the Fahl glider is deeper, more disyllabic " vriiie -e" sounds and mechanical as the swifts.

Dissemination

The Pallid Swift inhabited with numerous disjunct occurrence in the Mediterranean zone of the Western Palearctic from Madeira and the Canary Islands over southern Europe and North Africa, Turkey, Israel and Lebanon to Iran and western Pakistan. In Central Europe the species is an extremely rare anomaly, which is certainly due to the very difficult distinction from swifts under field conditions.

Way of life

The type hunts as well as the swifts small insects and spiders in the free air space and touches only breeding firm ground. Pallid Swifts are migratory, wintering in southern Africa. The Pallid Swift comes in southern Europe again in April in the breeding areas and exits from September.

Reproduction

Pallid Swifts breed on cliffs and buildings, often together with swifts. The nest is located in a cavity and is lined with a pad made of leaves. The usual two white eggs are incubated by both partners 14 to 20 days. After 44 to 48 days the young are fledged. There are up to two years broods.