About Apus caffer (M.H.K.Lichtenstein, 1823)
Size
This species, Apus caffer, measures 14–15.5 cm (5.5–6.1 in) in length.
Wing and Tail Structure
Like some of its relatives, it has a short forked tail and long swept-back wings that look like a crescent or a boomerang.
Body Plumage
Its body is entirely dark except for a pale throat patch and a narrow white rump.
Similar Species Comparison
It is similar to the closely related little swift, but it is slimmer, darker overall, has a more deeply forked tail, and a narrower white rump.
Habitat
The habitat of this swift is determined by the nesting sites provided by its host species, so it is normally found around man-made structures such as bridges and buildings.
Breeding Range
White-rumped swifts breed across most of sub-Saharan Africa, and have expanded their breeding range into Morocco and southern Spain.
Migratory Patterns
Populations in Spain, Morocco, and southern Africa are migratory, though their exact wintering grounds are not yet definitively known.
Resident Population Movements
Birds in tropical Africa are resident, only making small seasonal movements.
Recent Nesting Observation
Nesting of this species was observed in Corsica in 2022.
