### **Alpine Swift (*Tachymarptis melba*)**
Identification
Look for a giant among swifts. With a wingspan reaching up to 60cm, the Alpine Swift is significantly larger and more powerful than the more common *Apus apus*. In flight, its silhouette is a magnificent, elongated scythe. The most reliable field mark is its **brilliant white belly and throat**, separated by a dark brownish-grey pectoral band. Unlike the soot-colored Common Swift, the Alpine Swift’s plumage is a warmer, sandy brown. Look for the "anchor" shape against the clouds; if you see a flash of white on the underparts of a large, high-speed bird, you’ve found one.
Habitat & Range
True to its name, this species frequents high-altitude limestone crags and mountain gorges across Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Himalayas. However, they are remarkably adaptable; many colonies have swapped mountain faces for the "urban canyons" of cities, nesting in the crevices of clock towers and tall stone buildings. They are long-distance migrants, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.
Behaviour
To observe an Alpine Swift is to witness a master of the air. They are gregarious, often seen in screaming, high-velocity parties. Their flight is more leisurely and fluid than smaller swifts, characterized by deep, powerful wingbeats and incredibly long glides. They are almost entirely aerial—they drink, mate, and even sleep while soaring. On the breeding grounds, listen for their distinctive call: a loud, rhythmic trill that accelerates into a piercing whinny.
Diet
These birds are specialized "aerial plankton" hunters. They cruise at high altitudes—sometimes thousands of feet up—vacuuming up vast quantities of flying insects and spiders caught in thermal updrafts. They are particularly fond of swarming ants, flies, and beetles, which they store in a specialized throat pouch (bolus) to bring back to their chicks.
Fascinating Fact
The Alpine Swift is a true marathoner of the sky. Electronic tagging has revealed that some individuals can remain **continuously airborne for over 200 days** during their non-breeding season in Africa, never once touching the ground to rest!