Description
The Common Swift is the largest European swift, recognizable by its long, sickle-shaped wings and the sharp contrast between its white belly and dark back. An extremely aerial species, it spends most of its life in flight, feeding on insects caught in mid-air. It nests in colonies on rocky cliffs and large buildings, primarily in mountainous and urban areas. A long-distance migrant, it winters in tropical Africa.
The Situation in Italian-Speaking Switzerland
The Common Swift nests in Ticino primarily on rock faces, in colonies that rarely exceed ten pairs. Its habitat consists of rock faces rich in cavities where the nests are built. The rock-nesting population appears stable and does not seem to face any particular conservation issues. However, locally, the presence of rock climbers could disturb the colonies.
A significant portion of the population also nests in buildings and in roller-shutter boxes, particularly in the towns of Lugano, Bellinzona, Chiasso, and Mendrisio. In 2010, the city of Chiasso alone was home to nearly 300 pairs, the highest number in Switzerland. In recent years, this population has declined sharply.
- Passer italiae
- Moineau cisalpin
- Italienischer Spatz
- Passera taliana
- Italian Sparrow
- 15 cm
- 24–26 cm
