House Swift Bird Details
Apus nipalensis
House Swift
Ghar Bulbul
Hodgson , 1837
Apodiformes
Apodidae
Apus
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Appearance :
Small bird with a slender body, short tail, and long, narrow wings. It has blackish-brown plumage with a paler throat patch and slightly notched tail. Its streamlined body is adapted for fast, agile flight.
Behaviour :
Highly social, usually seen flying in large, noisy flocks. Known to nest in colonies and often forms dense breeding groups.
Habitat :
Often found near human settlements, particularly in urban areas. They prefer nesting in buildings, cliffs, and sometimes caves.
Diet :
Insectivorous, feeding on a variety of airborne insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and beetles. They hunt while flying.
Conservation Status :
Least Concern
Distribution :
Found across South Asia, Southeast Asia, parts of China, and the Middle East.
Population Size :
The exact population size is not well documented but is generally considered stable.
Life Span :
Typically around 5 to 10 years in the wild.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: Small, streamlined, and compact, adapted for fast and agile flight.
- Tarsus length: Approximately 5-7 mm.
Head And Bill :
- Head: Small, rounded, with short neck, dark brown to blackish in color.
- Eyes: Large relative to head size, dark and adapted for fast movement detection.
- Bill: Small, black, slightly curved; adapted for catching insects mid-flight.
- Bill length: Around 5-7 mm (relatively short for the bird's size).
Length :
Around 13-15 cm.
Neck :
Short and barely visible; swifts have a compact body design for efficient flight.
Size :
Small bird.
Tail Details :
- Tail: Slightly forked, short; helps in maneuverability during flight.
- Tail Length: Approximately 4-5 cm.
- Feathers: Dark brown to blackish, smooth and streamlined for minimal air resistance during flight.
Weight :
Around 14-16 grams.
Wing :
Long and narrow, pointed at the tips; highly adapted for fast, agile flight.
Wing Span :
Around 30-33 cm.
Facial Feature :
Dark, with small eyes and a short, inconspicuous bill.
Nest Details :
- Nest: House Swifts usually build their nests on buildings, cliffs, or other man-made structures. They tend to nest in colonies.
- Nest made up of: The nests are made of small twigs, feathers, and other lightweight materials held together with the bird’s saliva, which hardens into a strong glue.
Breeding Season :
Typically during the summer months; varies based on geographical location but generally between April and August.
Nesting Season :
Varies but usually from May to August.
Egg Color :
White, without any markings.
Egg Length :
Approximately 18-20 mm.
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: Around 12-14 mm.
- Egg Weight: Roughly 1-2 grams.
Clutch Size :
Typically 2–3 eggs.
No. of Broods :
House Swifts can have 2-3 broods per year.
Incubation Period :
About 17-20 days.
Nestling Period :
The young usually fledge (leave the nest) after around 40-45 days.
Vocalization :
High-pitched, rapid “twittering” calls, especially when in flight or at the nest.
Sex Demorphism :
There is little to no sexual dimorphism;
Migration Details :
Most populations are resident or partially migratory;