Pallid Swift

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Apus pallidus

Rare annual vagrants from Southern Europe with 100 records for Britain & 5 for Ireland from March-November, mainly during the late Autumn after our Swifts have left.

 Breeds across Southern Europe & North Africa from April-October.

Winters in South Africa.

Adults are entirely dark except for a large white throat patch which is frequently visible from a distance.

It is chunkier and browner than Common Swift, and the slightly paler flight feathers, underparts and rump give more contrast than that species.

It also has a scalier looking belly and subtly different flight action.

The call is a loud dry scream similar to that of its relative, though possibly more disyllabic.