Since Common Swifts are frequently confused with swallows and even with birds of prey, below are some unmistakable characteristics that can be used to reliably distinguish a Common Swift from other bird species.
Additionally, a photo series provides information about the various age stages of the Common Swift.
The order Apodiformes includes approximately 85-90 predominantly tropical species worldwide. In Germany, only the Common Swift is largely found. However, further south, starting from the Freiburg area and throughout Southern Europe, the much larger black and white Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba) can also be encountered. Also native to Southern Europe is the Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus), which is very similar to the Common Swift. It is not known how far north it has already spread as a breeding bird. All three species are migratory birds.
