African black swift facts for kids
Quick facts for kids African black swift |
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| Range migrant resident breeder summer visitor and breeder
Note: Madagascar and Comoros populations sometimes afforded species status, see text. |
The African black swift (Apus barbatus) is a cool bird that belongs to the swift family. You might also hear it called the African swift or just the black swift. These birds live and have their babies in many parts of Africa. You can find them from countries like Liberia and Kenya all the way down to South Africa. Sometimes, the black swifts living on Madagascar and the Comoros are thought to be a slightly different kind of swift, called the Malagasy black swift.
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What Does the African Black Swift Look Like?
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The African black swift is a medium-sized bird. It is about 16 to 18 centimeters (6 to 7 inches) long. It looks almost completely black or dark brown. If you look very closely, it might have a tiny white or light grey spot on its chin.
These birds have a short tail that splits into two points, like a fork. Their wings are very long and curve backwards. They look a bit like a crescent moon or a boomerang when they fly!
How to Tell Them Apart
African black swifts look a lot like the common swift. But if you get a good view, you can see a difference. Their back is very dark, but their wing feathers are a bit lighter. This contrast helps tell them apart. They also fly in a special way. They have a steady, level flight, then glide for short times.
Where Do African Black Swifts Live?
African black swifts like to live in damp, mountainous areas. They usually live at high places, between 1,600 and 2,400 meters (about 5,200 to 7,900 feet) high. Sometimes, they can be found in lower areas too.
These birds often fly over lowlands to find food. They can gather in very large groups, sometimes with other types of swifts.
Do African Black Swifts Migrate?
Some African black swifts are migratory. This means they travel to different places during certain seasons. For example, the swifts from South Africa fly further north for the winter. Other groups of African black swifts stay in the same place all year round. They are called "resident" birds.
There are different kinds of African black swifts. The ones in East Africa are small and dark. It's thought that some swifts from Madagascar might fly to the mainland when they are not having babies, but this is not fully proven.
How Do African Black Swifts Build Nests?
African black swifts build their nests in different places depending on where they live. In East Africa, they often nest inside hollow trees. In South Africa, they prefer to use cliffs. These cliffs can be inland or along the coast.
These birds like to nest together in groups, which is called a colony. Sometimes, they even share their nesting areas with alpine swifts. Their nest is a shallow cup made of grass. They use their own saliva to glue the grass to the surface. Usually, a female swift will lay one or two eggs.
What Does an African Black Swift Sound Like?
The African black swift has a very loud and sharp call. It sounds like a double-rasped, hissing scream. You might hear it as zzzzzzzZZZTT. This sound is different from other swifts that look similar to them.
See Also
- Malagasy black swift
