Common swift

Fun Facts

• Common swifts reach flight speeds in excess of 200km/h.

• They only land to nest. They sleep and rest on the wing.

• Young swifts fly for 2-3 years without a break, before they land for the first time to breed.

• Swifts have the shortest legs of all birds.

• Swifts sitting on the ground cannot lift off against the wind; running on their short legs is very difficult. If you want to give a helping hand for lift off, put the bird on your flat hand, but never throw it up in the air.

• Common swifts can be seen in Germany from the middle of May to the middle of August. They spend the winter in southern or tropical Africa. Some birds only fly as far as the Mediterranean. In mild winters, they may also be spotted in southern Germany. Most of these are hand-reared young birds or birds that were injured and released into the wild too late.

• Endangerment level Germany: not endangered

• The German name "Mauersegler" refers to the typical flight behaviour just past walls and roofs, which can often be observed.