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File:Common_Swift_2025_07_18_02_(cropped).jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ25377· pop 91· linked from 306 articles

Common Swift

Also known as Apus apus

species of bird

AI overview

The Common Swift is a small, fast-flying bird found across Europe and Asia that spends most of its life airborne, hunting insects while in flight. It matters because it serves as an indicator of healthy insect populations and is experiencing population declines in many regions, making it important for understanding environmental changes.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Species

Least Concern

common swift

Species

PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderApodiformes
FamilyApodidae

via IUCN

Wikidata facts

Mass: 3.5
Image: Common Swift 2025 07 18 02 (cropped).jpg

Show 8 more facts

taxon name: Apus apus
Commons category: Apus apus
Commons gallery: Apus apus
wingspan: 0.4
litter size: 3
egg incubation period: 20
taxon common name: 普通楼燕
short name: A. apus

Sources (14)

via Wikidata · CC0

~12 min read

Article

Common Swift chicks The common swift (Apus apus) is a medium-sized bird, superficially similar to the barn swallow or house martin but somewhat larger, though not stemming from those passerine species, being in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution, reflecting similar contextual development. The swifts' nearest relatives are the New World hummingbirds and the Southeast Asian treeswifts.

Its scientific name Apus is Latin for a swift, thought by the ancients to be a type of swallow with no feet (from Ancient Greek α, a, "without", and πούς, pous, "foot").