Pallid Swift
by
Shop
Shop
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.