Malagasy Palm Swift
Cypsiurus gracilis
Malagasy Palm Swift (Cypsiurus gracilis) — Swifts of Africa.
The Malagasy Palm Swift (Cypsiurus gracilis) is a member of the Apodidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 13.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Apodidae Swifts
- Genus Cypsiurus
- Species gracilis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 13.6 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Apodidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Malagasy Palm Swift is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense scrub and shrubland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Malagasy Palm Swift is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Malagasy Palm Swift (Cypsiurus gracilis) is a member of the Apodidae family, within the order Apodiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Comoros and Madagascar.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 13.6 g, with a wing length of about 12.4 cm and a tail of around 8.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 385,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Malagasy Palm Swift?
The Malagasy Palm Swift is a very small bird that weighs around 13.6 g.
Where does the Malagasy Palm Swift live?
The Malagasy Palm Swift is found across Africa with a range covering AF Comoros and Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Malagasy Palm Swift belong to?
The Malagasy Palm Swift (Cypsiurus gracilis) belongs to the Apodidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Malagasy Palm Swift eat?
The Malagasy Palm Swift is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Malagasy Palm Swift migrate?
The Malagasy Palm Swift is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Malagasy Palm Swift endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Malagasy Palm Swift's range?
The Malagasy Palm Swift has a mapped global range of about 385,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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