Pallid Swift

Apus pallidus (Shelley, 1870)

Pallid Swift, Apus pallidus, breeds across southern Europe, the Arabian Peninsula and northern Africa, and spends the non-breeding season in central and western Africa. It was first described by Shelley in 1870. A member of the swift family, it is closely tied to life in the air and is known for its very short legs, which are used only for gripping vertical surfaces. It is similar to the Common Swift, but can be told by its large white throat patch and its browner, chunkier appearance.

Order

Apodiformes

Family

Apodidae — Swifts

Breeding range

Palearctic, Africa: s Europe, Arabian Pen. and n AF

Nonbreeding range

c, w AF