House swift

The house swift is a captivating bird from the Apodidae family, native to regions such as Japan, Nepal, and Southeast Asia. One of the most remarkable aspects of this bird is its extraordinary ability to fly long distances. It accomplishes this feat by alternating the hemisphere of its brain that remains active, allowing it to rest while still in flight.

In May 2012, bird enthusiasts in Ladner, British Columbia, were elated when a house swift was observed there. This sighting was particularly exciting because it marked the first recorded appearance of this species in North America. Interestingly, the house swift was once considered a subspecies of the little swift but has since been recognized as a distinct species.