Alpine Swift

Tachymarptis melba (Linnaeus, 1758)

Apodidae — Swifts

Alpine Swift, Tachymarptis melba, is a swift of the Palearctic, Africa and the Oriental Region, with a breeding range that is widespread. It was described by Linnaeus in 1758. It breeds in mountain areas from southern Europe to the Himalayas, and it is also found in Africa, southern Europe and Asia. A key feature is its white belly, set off by a dark band across the neck and breast, with a white throat above it. It is placed in Apodiformes and belongs to the swift family, Apodidae.

Order
Apodiformes
Family
Apodidae — Swifts
Breeding range
Palearctic, Africa, Oriental Region: widespread
Alpine Swift
© Paul F Donald · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

10 tours in Spain 5, Italy 3, India 1, Namibia 1

Northern India Birding Tour: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas
Northern India Birding Tour: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas
India / New Delhi Group tour 17 days

A 17-day northern India expedition combining wetland and Himalayan birding with Ranthambhore and Corbett wildlife safaris, the Chambal River...

From USD 9,565 Next: Jan 21, 2027
Short Northern Burgos Birding Stay - 2 Days
Short Northern Burgos Birding Stay - 2 Days
Spain / Burgos Group tour 2 days

Two-day, one-night birding break with a guided 4x4 route through Alto Ebro canyons, plateaux, northern woodland and the Ebro Reservoir....

Birds and Gastronomy in Northern Burgos - 3 Days
Birds and Gastronomy in Northern Burgos - 3 Days
Spain / Burgos Group tour 3 days

Three-day Alto Ebro birding stay combining canyon, woodland and reservoir routes with northern Burgos food and regional wines....

Birds and Wine in Northern Burgos - 3 Days
Birds and Wine in Northern Burgos - 3 Days
Spain / Burgos Group tour 3 days

Three-day northern Burgos birding stay pairing Alto Ebro landscapes and reservoir birding with selected regional wines....

Hiking and Birding in Northern Burgos - 6 Days
Hiking and Birding in Northern Burgos - 6 Days
Spain / Burgos Group tour 6 days

Six-day stay combining guided birding by 4x4 with walks through the Ebro Canyon, Orbaneja del Castillo and northern Burgos habitats....

Northern Burgos Birding Tour - 5 Days
Northern Burgos Birding Tour - 5 Days
Spain / Burgos Group tour 5 days

Five-day small-group birding stay exploring the Alto Ebro canyons, northern forests, the Ebro Reservoir and Burgos cereal plains....

Private Elba and Tuscan Archipelago Raptor Birding with Giorgio Paesani
Private Elba and Tuscan Archipelago Raptor Birding with Giorgio Paesani
Italy / Portoferraio Private tour 1 day

Private birding on Elba and the Tuscan Archipelago with Giorgio Paesani, focused on raptor migration, island habitats and Mediterranean bird...

South-East Sicily Private Birding Day with Andrea Corso
South-East Sicily Private Birding Day with Andrea Corso
Italy / Siracusa Private tour 1 day

A private eight-hour birding day in the wetlands and coastal habitats around Siracusa, tailored to current conditions....

From EUR 280
8-Day South-Eastern Sicily Birding Tour with Andrea Corso
8-Day South-Eastern Sicily Birding Tour with Andrea Corso
Italy / Catania Group tour 8 days

Eight days of birding and natural history across Etna, the Catania Plain and south-eastern Sicily’s wetlands with Andrea Corso....

From EUR 2,000
Southern Africa Birding Expedition: Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls with Birding Ecotours
Southern Africa Birding Expedition: Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls with Birding Ecotours
Namibia / Walvis Bay Group tour 18 days

An 18-day birding expedition from Namibia's Atlantic coast through Etosha and the Okavango Panhandle to Victoria Falls, combining desert nea...

From USD 10,206