House Swift

Fly quickly with long wings.

Scientific name	Apus nipalensis
English name	House Swift
Japanese name	姫雨燕
Classification	Aves
Classification details	Apodiformes Apodidae
Full length	13cm
Distribution	Low latitude regions of Africa to Asia. South of Kanto in Japan.

Characteristics

A member of the Swift family with long sickle-shaped wings. It is dark brown overall, with white waist and throat. The shape of the closed tail feathers is shallow concave.

Differences between Lesser Swifts and Swifts

The wing shape is very similar to that of the swift, but the lesser swift is about two times smaller. There is also a difference in the notch of the tail feathers.

The environment in which they can be seen is also different. While Swifts are found in urban areas and mountainous areas, Swifts prefer coasts with cliffs.

Calls

While flying, it calls out "churiririri" and "juriririri".

Ecology

They live in urban areas, mountains, and near rivers. Forms a flock of several birds and catches and eats insects as food while flying. It can be seen all year round on Honshu, and builds its nest under the eaves of buildings, bridge girders, and sometimes using the old nests of martins.

Habitat

Riverbed in Asakawa, Hachioji City

I shot this while flying over the riverbed of Asakawa in Hachioji, Tokyo. About 4 or 5 birds were taking food while going back and forth for several kilometers. I had a hard time photographing it because it flies so fast. It never came down to the ground.