Alpine Swift

Tachymarptis melba

Introduction

Much larger than our Swift, and with a pale belly, Alpine Swift is a scarce visitor, but one that is expanding its range northwards in Europe

Irish records peak in March, while British records peak in May, perhaps suggesting that these are birds from different parts of the Alpine Swift's breeding range.

Key Stats

Status

Rare

Weight

100.5g

Seasonality

BTO Records

2k records

Population and distribution stats for:

No data

No current data

No current data

No data

No current data

No current data

Status and Trends

Population size, trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO and partnership surveys and atlasses with data collected by BTO volunteers.

Conservation Status

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This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.

Species of European Conservation Concern

Least Concern

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global)

Least Concern

Schedule 1 Licence required (to disturb)*

Birds Directive Annex 1

* A guide only. Check details with the original legislation, especially those marked with an asterisk. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Size

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BOU Category

Source

First Record*

Kent 1830, (Co, Cork, 1829)

* First documented occurrence. Most species undoubtedly occurred before this. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Change

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Population trends of this scarce species are not routinely monitored.

Distribution

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This species is a rare vagrant and was recorded during Bird Atlas 2007–11 as shown on the map.

Bird Atlas distribution maps show where bird species breed or winter in Britain and Ireland. For breeding maps, larger dots indicate higher certainty the species bred in that area.

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

To view and download up-to-date distribution information aggregated from across BTO and partnership surveys and schemes, see our data holdings on the NBN Atlas.

European Distribution Map

European Breeding Bird Atlas 2

Distribution Change

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This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution change.

Seasonality

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This species has been too rarely reported to BirdTrack during 2011–22 to properly assess seasonality.

Movement

Information about Alpine Swift movements and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.

Britain & Ireland movement

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View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report

Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland

Dots show the foreign destinations of birds ringed in Britain & Ireland, and the origins of birds ringed overseas that were subsequently recaptured, resighted or found dead in Britain & Ireland. Dot colours indicate the time of year that the species was present at the location.

Winter (Nov-Feb)
Spring (Mar-Apr)
Summer (May-Jul)
Autumn (Aug-Oct)

Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland

European movements

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EuroBirdPortal uses birdwatcher's records, such as those logged in BirdTrack to map the flows of birds as they arrive and depart Europe. See maps for this species here.

The Eurasian-African Migration Atlas shows movements of individual birds ringed or recovered in Europe. See maps for this species here.

Biology

Lifecycle and body size information for Alpine Swift, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.

Survival and Longevity

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Survival is shown as the proportion of birds surviving from one year to the next and is derived from bird ringing data. It can also be used to estimate how long birds typically live.

View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report.

Classification, names and codes

Taxonomy, names and species codes for Alpine Swift

Classification and Codes

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Order: Apodiformes
Family: Apodidae
Scientific name: Tachymarptis melba
Authority: Linnaeus, 1758

BTO 2-letter code: AI
BTO 5-letter code: ALPSW
Euring code number: 7980

Alternate species names

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Catalan: ballester comú
Czech: rorýs velký
Danish: Alpesejler
Dutch: Alpengierzwaluw
Estonian: suurpiiritaja e. suur-piirpääsuke
Finnish: alppikiitäjä
French: Martinet à ventre blanc
Gaelic: Gobhlan-monaidh

German: Alpensegler
Hungarian: havasi sarlósfecske
Icelandic: Alpasvölungur
Irish: Gabhlán Alpach
Italian: Rondone maggiore
Latvian: Alpu svire
Lithuanian: baltapilvis alpinis ciurlys
Norwegian: Alpeseiler

Polish: jerzyk alpejski
Portuguese: andorinhão-real
Slovak: dáždovník skalný
Slovenian: planinski hudournik
Spanish: Vencejo real
Swedish: alpseglare
Welsh: Gwennol Ddu'r Alpau

More Evidence

More evidence from Conservation Evidence.com

Partners

Birdfacts is based on data collected by volunteers participating in surveys that are organised and funded by BTO, RSPB, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, JNCC and other partners.

BTO

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

JNCC

RSPB

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