by Jon Ferguson

Created on: December 07, 2011   Last Updated: December 08, 2011

The Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba) is one of the larger swift species with a wingspan of 55 centimeters. It resembles Barn swallows and Purple Martins but is not related to these birds. The swifts and swallows are one of the many examples of convergent evolution that is different types of animals evolving to resemble one another to accomplish a similar task. 

One of the defining characteristics of swifts is their short legs (usually tucked away in flight). They do not need longer legs because they generally only land on vertical surfaces and would only land on the ground if they had no other choice. This is a very useful survival trait as it serves to protect the Alpine and it's young from almost all land-based predators. 

Alpine swifts inhabit cliffs from Southern Europe to the Himalayas. These northern hemisphere climes serve as the swifts breeding grounds and they spend most of the summer months here in the constant quest for flying insects. During the colder months swifts migrate thousands of miles to Southern Africa, Madagascar, and Western India. His very efficient high aspect wing combined with nutrient-packed insect diet make such migratory voyages possible.

The Alpine is a truly remarkable flier. His wings are a beautifully ellipsoidal willow- leaf shape is reminiscent of the British Spitfire Aircraft of WWII. Like the Spitfire, this Swift is equally aerobatic and able to out-fly its insect prey. You might say the Alpine is nature’s air superiority fighter. The tail is V-shaped for greater maneuverability. 

The coloration of the Alpine Swift is unique. His wings, tail, and head are the color of milk chocolate and his breast is the buff color of beach sand. He has a very striking V-Shaped band between the head and breast.

Alpine Swifts mate for life. The mated pairs form cliff colonies and nest in prepared crevices within the cliff. They fly thousands of miles every year to return to the same nesting sites. The females lay only two or sometimes three eggs. The young swallows generally survive their first flight which is always a strait plummet from a sheer cliff. Once airborne he will spend most of his life flying. Swallows don't even land to drink instead preferring to skim the surface of the water whilst taking the vital liquid.

This bird is one of the great gems of the avian world. Not only is it a handsome and a stunning flier, the Swallow is one of mankind’s friends in that it consumes prodigious amounts of troublesome insects.

Sources:

BirdLife International (2004). Tachymarptis melba. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 27 January 2007. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

Tomek, Teresa & Bocheski, Zygmunt (2005): Weichselian and Holocene bird remains from Komarowa Cave, Central Poland. Acta zoologica cracoviensia 48A(1-2): 43-65.

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