Apus melba

The Alpine Swift is classified as Data Deficient (DD) as there is insufficient data to assess its status in Israel. In the previous edition of the Red Book (2002), it was classified as Least Concern (LC) and it is still a relatively common summer breeder.

Habitats	Desert Cliffs, Mediterranean Cliffs
Presence In Israel	Migrant, Summer
Breeding In Israel	Breeder
Migration Types	Long Range
Zoographical Zones	Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian
Landscape Types	Mountainous, Cliffs
Vegetation Densities	Low
Nest Locations	Cliffs, Buildings
Diet Types	Invertebrate
Foraging Grounds	Aerial
Body Sizes	Small (up to 500g)
Threat Factors	Unknown

The Alpine Swift, like other swifts, spends almost all its time in the air. It is specifically adapted to flight, with a compact body and long, narrow, pointed wings. It has a small slightly curved triangular bill, and a large gape that allows it to catch insects in flight. Its tail is short and forked. Plumage is brownish-grey, with a white belly and throat, separated by a brown neckband. Its characteristic flight includes rapid deep wingbeats followed by glides. When foraging, it performs rapid maneuvers, while sounding a series of sharp calls. The Alpine Swift is a gregarious bird that nests in colonies and flies in flocks in its wintering areas as well.

The Alpine Swift is a common passage migrant, a relatively common summer breeder and a rare winter visitor. During migration, flocks can be seen throughout Israel. It breeds in most of the mountainous regions in Israel, from the upper Galilee in the north to the Judean Desert canyons and Negev Highlands in the south.

The Alpine Swift breeds in colonies in mountainous and cliff areas. The nests are often located in crevices and on the ceilings of large caves. In Europe it also nests in tall buildings, similar to the Common Swift, while in Israel it can also be found nesting under tall bridges and in road tunnels.

• פז, ע. 1986. עופות. מתוך אלון, ע. (עורך), החי והצומח של ארץ ישראל. כרך 6. הוצאת משרד הביטחון, ישראל.

• Shirihai, H., 1996. The Birds of Israel. Academic Press, London.
• Symes, A. 2013. Species generation lengths. Unpublished, BirdLife International.
• Species page at Birdlife International