Alpine swift
Apus melba
The alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba) is a species of swift found in Africa, southern Europe, and Asia.
About the Alpine swift
The alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba) is a species of swift found in Africa, southern Europe, and Asia. They breed in mountains from southern Europe to the Himalayas. Like common swifts, they are migratory; the southern European population winters further south in southern Africa. They have very short legs which are used for clinging to vertical surfaces. Like most swifts, they never settle voluntarily on the ground, spending most of their lives in the air living on the insects they catch in their beaks.
Fun Facts About Alpine swift
- Like most swifts, they never settle voluntarily on the ground, spending most of their lives in the air living on the insects they catch in their beaks.
- Like common swifts, they are migratory; the southern European population winters further south in southern Africa.
Conservation Status
The Alpine swift is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Genus | Apus |
| Species | Apus melba |
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Other species in the Apodidae family: