“Apus caffer” 

What to Know About the White-rumped Swift in Uganda?

The white-rumped swift is a small bird of the swift species in the family Apodidae, very similar to the house martin however, it is not closely related to the passerine species.

The similitudes between the swallows and swift birds is because of the convergent evolution which shows similar lifestyle.

How Does the White-rumped Swift in Uganda Look Like?

The white-rumped is a very small and slim-bodied swift bird, about 14-15.5 cm long-even smaller than a common swift, but rather longer and with a forked tail.

Its body size and head are similar to that of a little swift. The wings are about 40% longer and more forked.

Its plumage is blue-black and grey-brown face under its sides up to the flight feathers, the bird is pale and have a narrow white band over the rump. Its rear body and tail are noticeably attenuated.

How Does the White-rumped Swift in Uganda Feed?

The white-rumped swift is mainly insectivorous and feeds on small insects that are caught in flight.

How Does the White-rumped Swift in Uganda Reproduce?

The White-rumped Swift normally breeds on a shelf or in a gap of a rock or buildings, as well as in nests of swallows and Little Swift.

It lines the old nests of swallows with feathers, protruding from the entrance. White-rumped Swifts can build their own nest out of straw and feathers tiled together with saliva to form a shallow cup.

The female lays 1 to 3 eggs, intubation is done for about 21-25 days and fledging of chicks is after 35-53 days of hatching.