White-rumped swift

The white-rumped swift is a bird bearing a resemblance to the house martin, though they are not closely related. You can identify this swift by its short, forked tail, long, swept-back wings, predominantly dark plumage with a pale throat patch, and a distinct white band on its rump. Compared to its relative, the little swift, the white-rumped swift is slimmer and darker.

These birds have short legs and spend almost all of their time airborne, catching insects for sustenance. They rarely land on the ground and are even known to drink water while flying.

White-rumped swifts often nest in man-made structures such as bridges and buildings, depending on the location of their hosts. Breeding populations are found in sub-Saharan Africa, with some individuals migrating to Morocco, southern Spain, and possibly other regions. In tropical Africa, they are generally resident but may exhibit seasonal movements.

During the breeding season, white-rumped swifts commandeer nests from little swifts and various swallow species. They line these nests with feathers and saliva before laying one or two eggs.