Scarce swift

The scarce swift is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. It has a disjunct range of presence throughout the Afromontane : Cameroon line, Albertine Rift montane forests, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique.

Distribution

Region

Afromontane highlands of Central and East Africa

Typical Environment

This species has a disjunct range along the Cameroon line, through the Albertine Rift montane forests, and into highlands of Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique. It frequents steep, forested mountain slopes, escarpments, and volcanic massifs, often near cliffs and deep valleys. Birds forage over montane evergreen forest, forest edges, and adjacent open country, and will range widely above ridgelines in suitable weather. Roosting and nesting are typically associated with rock crevices and cliff faces in rugged terrain.

Altitude Range

900–3000 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size12–15 cm

Wing Span28–32 cm

Male Weight0.028 kg

Female Weight0.028 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The scarce swift is an Afromontane specialist that occurs in scattered highland blocks rather than continuously across the landscape. It is often overlooked because it forages high and mixes with other dark swifts, making field identification challenging. Observers typically note its fast, direct flight over ridgelines and forest edges, especially during insect emergences after rains.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

fast, direct flight with rapid wingbeats and brief glides

Social Behavior

Often seen in small groups, sometimes associating with other swift species over montane ridges. Nests are placed in crevices on cliffs or steep rocky outcrops, where both parents tend the young. Breeding is timed to local rainy seasons when aerial insects are abundant.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations are high-pitched chips and thin screams delivered in flight. Calls are brief and may be given in rapid series when birds are coursing over ridges or near nesting cliffs.

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Identification

Leg Colorblackish-grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Mostly uniform sooty-brown to blackish with slightly paler underparts and underwing coverts; feathers can show subtle edging in fresh plumage.

Feeding Habits

Diet

An aerial insectivore that captures flying insects such as ants, termites, flies, and beetles on the wing. It exploits insect swarms after rains and will forage high above the canopy as well as lower over clearings. The species uses ridgelines and updrafts to search widely for prey, often covering large areas during a feeding circuit.

Preferred Environment

Typically feeds above montane forest canopies, forest edges, and along escarpments and valleys where updrafts concentrate insects. It also ranges over nearby open habitats adjoining highland forests.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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