Wildlifeof Sumatra
House Swift
Swifts/House_Swift_commons.jpg)
Photo: Opisska · CC0
Apus nipalensis
Also known as: Apus affinis nipalensis
AviList (2026) treats this bird as a subspecies, Apus affinis nipalensis, of the Little Swift (Apus affinis), which is not listed separately on this site. IOC lists it as a separate species.
Basic stats
Diet
Insects, caught in the air
Habitat
Cliffs and urban areas, under roof overhangs and in tunnels
Range
Japan, Nepal and Southeast Asia
Size
14–16cm
Weight
20–35g
The house swift is a small bird but a medium-sized swift, with a body length of 14–16 cm and a weight of about 20–35 g. It has a dark, slightly forked tail and black plumage, darker than the little swift's, apart from a white rump band and white throat patch. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the little swift. It is found in Japan, Nepal and Southeast Asia (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is highly aerial and spends much of its time feeding in the air. It nests either in cliffs or in urban areas, where it prefers the underside of roof overhangs or tunnels, building a nest of leaves, branches and feathers stuck together with saliva. A second clutch hatches a few weeks after the first brood has flown (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the House Swift eat?
- Insects, caught in the air
- What habitat does the House Swift live in?
- Cliffs and urban areas, under roof overhangs and in tunnels
- Where is the House Swift found?
- Japan, Nepal and Southeast Asia
- How big is the House Swift?
- 14–16cm
- How much does the House Swift weigh?
- 20–35g