Plain swift: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Species of bird}}

{{Taxobox_begin | color = pink | name = Plain Swift}}

{{Speciesbox

<!-- {{Taxobox_image | image = | caption = }} -->

| name = Plain swift

{{Taxobox_begin_placement | color = pink}}

| image = Einfarbsegler.jpg

{{Taxobox_regnum_entry | taxon = [[Animal]]ia}}

| status = LC

{{Taxobox_phylum_entry | taxon = [[Chordate|Chordata]]}}

| status_system = IUCN3.1

{{Taxobox_classis_entry | taxon = [[Bird|Aves]]}}

| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2017 |title=''Apus unicolor'' |volume=2017 |page=e.T22686806A119263428 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22686806A119263428.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>

{{Taxobox_ordo_entry | taxon = [[Apodiformes]]}}

{{Taxobox_familia_entry | taxon = [[Apodidae]]}}Apus unicolor

| authority = ([[William Jardine (naturalist)|Jardine]], 1830)

{{Taxobox_genus_entry | taxon = '''''[[Apus (genus)|Apus]]'''''}}

}}

{{Taxobox_species_entry | taxon = '''''unicolor'''''}}

{{Taxobox_end_placement}}

{{Taxobox_section_binomial_parens | color = pink | binomial_name = Apus unicolor | author = [[William Jardine (naturalist)|Jardine]] | date = [[1830]]}}

{{Taxobox_end}}

The '''plain Plain Swiftswift''' ('''''Apus unicolor''''') is a medium-sized [[Swift (bird)|swift]]. Although this [[bird]] is superficially similar to a [[Barnbarn Swallowswallow]] or [[HouseCommon Martinhouse martin|house martin]], it is completelynot unrelatedrelated to those [[passerine]] species. The resemblances between the groups are due to [[convergent evolution]] reflecting similar life styles.

Swifts have very short legs that they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces. They never settle voluntarily on the ground, and spend most of their lives in the air, feeding on [[insect]]s that they catch in their beaks. They drink on the wing.

The ''' Plain Swift''' (''Apus unicolor'') is a medium-sized [[swift]]. Although this [[bird]] is superficially similar to a [[Barn Swallow]] or [[House Martin]], it is completely unrelated to those [[passerine]] species. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.

Plain swifts breed in colonies on cliffs, bridges and buildings on the [[Canary Islands]] and [[Madeira]], laying two eggs in a saucer-shaped nest made of flowerheads glued with saliva. They are partially [[bird migration|migratory]], with many birds leaving to winter in mainland [[Africa]]. Until recently it was thought that the birds wintered on the African coast but recent studies suggest they travel much further to the equatorial forests of Liberia and Guinea, a distance of 2,600 kilometres. Small numbers are also believed to breed in Morocco between Agadir and Essaouira, where a colony was found on coastal cliffs and possibly also in Mauritania where there are frequent sightings.<ref> Norton, T., Atkinson, P., Hewson, C. & Eduardo Garcia-del-Rey, E. 2018. [http://www.magornitho.org/2018/03/plain-swift-winter-west-africa/ Geolocator study reveals that Canarian Plain Swifts Apus unicolor winter in equatorial West Africa]. [https://africanbirdclub.org/sites/default/files/2013_Plain_Swift%20migration_Canary_Islands.pdf ''African Bird Club''] & ''Sociedad Ornitologica Canaria''. 15 pp</ref>

Swifts have very short legs that they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces. They never settle voluntarily on the ground, and spend most of their lives in the air, feeding on [[insect]]s that they catch in their beaks. They drink on the wing.

This 14-15 14–15&nbsp;cm long species is very similar to the closely related [[Commoncommon Swiftswift|Commoncommon]] and [[Pallidpallid Swiftswift]]s, which also occur in the archipelagos, and separation is only possible with good views. Like its relatives, it has a short forked tail and very long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a [[boomerang]].

Plain Swifts breed in colonies on cliffs, bridges and buildings on the [[Canary Islands]] and [[Madeira]], laying two eggs in a saucer-shaped nest made of floerheads glued with saliva. They are partially [[bird migration|migratory]], with some birds leaving to winter in northwest [[Africa]].

It is entirely dark except for an indistinct pale throat patch. It is slimmer and more rakish than Pallidthe pallid Swiftswift, and is darker than that species and lacks the obvious white throat.

This 14-15 cm long species is very similar to the closely related [[Common Swift|Common]] and [[Pallid Swift]]s, which also occur in the archipelagos, and separation is only possible with good views. Like its relatives, it has a short forked tail and very long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a [[boomerang]].

Distinguishing Plainthe plain Swiftswift from the similarly plumaged Commoncommon Swiftswift is much more difficult, although juvenile Commoncommon can be easily eliminated due to its white throat. PlainThe plain is slimmer and appears longer winged than Commonthe common, and has scaly underparts, difficult to see except with excellent views. The call is a loud dry scream similar to that of Commonthe common Swiftswift, though possibly higher pitched.

It is entirely dark except for an indistinct pale throat patch. It is slimmer and more rakish than Pallid Swift, and is darker than that species and lacks the obvious white throat.

==References==

Distinguishing Plain Swift from the similarly plumaged Common Swift is much more difficult, although juvenile Common can be easily eliminated due to its white throat. Plain is slimmer and appears longer winged than Common, and has scaly underparts, difficult to see except with excellent views. The call is a loud dry scream similar to that of Common Swift, though possibly higher pitched.

{{Reflist}}

* ''Swifts'' by Chantler and Driessens, {{ISBN |1-873403-83-6}}

==ReferenceExternal links==

* Madeira Birds: [http://www.madeirabirds.com/plain_swift Plain Swift]

* ''Swifts'' by Chantler and Driessens, ISBN 1-873403-83-6

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1096617}}

[[Category:Swifts]]

[[Category:SwiftsApus (genus)]]

[[Category:Birds of the Canary Islands]]

[[Category:Birds of Madeira]]

[[Category:Birds described in 1830]]

[[Category:Taxa named by Sir William Jardine]]