Horus Swift
NameHorus Swift
Common NameHorus Swift
Scientific NameApus horus
FamilyApodidae
Wingspan (cm)32
Length (cm)14
Weight (g)25
Plumage DetailsOverall dark sooty brown plumage, with a prominent white rump patch that contrasts sharply with the dark body. It also has a small, often inconspicuous, white throat patch. The tail is moderately forked.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations consist of high-pitched, rapid chattering or screaming calls, often given in flight, typical of many swift species.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, urban, mountain
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in sub-Saharan Africa, with a fragmented distribution. Its range extends from Ethiopia south to South Africa, and also includes parts of West Africa.
Identifying Featureswhite rump patch, dark sooty plumage, moderately forked tail, white throat patch, crescent-shaped wings in flight
Description
The Horus Swift is a medium-sized aerial bird characterized by its dark sooty plumage and distinctive white rump. It is a fast and agile flyer, spending most of its life on the wing, foraging for insects.
