Cape Verde Swift

Apus alexandri

Cape Verde Swift (Apus alexandri) — Swifts of Africa.

The Cape Verde Swift (Apus alexandri) is a member of the Apodidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 39.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Apodiformes
Family Apodidae Swifts
Genus Apus
Species alexandri

Where it lives

Cape Verde Is. (all islands; southern Macaronesia, west of northern Africa)

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 39.4 g
Diet: Invertebrate-eaters
Family: Apodidae
Order: Apodiformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Cape Verde Swift is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Behaviour

A bird of rocky terrain, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.

The Cape Verde Swift (Apus alexandri) belongs to the Apodidae family of the order Apodiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Cape Verde Is. (all islands; s Macaronesia, w of n Africa).

It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 39.4 g, with a wing length of about 13.8 cm and a tail of around 5.4 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2,643 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Songs & calls

Cape Verde Swift — Flight call

Recorded by Alain Verneau Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Cape Verde Swift?

The Cape Verde Swift is a small bird that weighs around 39.4 g.

Where does the Cape Verde Swift live?

The Cape Verde Swift is found across Africa with a range covering AF Cape Verde Is. (all islands; s Macaronesia, w of n Africa), where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Cape Verde Swift belong to?

The Cape Verde Swift (Apus alexandri) belongs to the Apodidae family, in the order Apodiformes.

What does the Cape Verde Swift eat?

The Cape Verde Swift is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Is the Cape Verde 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.

What sound does the Cape Verde Swift make?

1 real field recording of the Cape Verde Swift — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Cape Verde Swift's range?

The Cape Verde Swift has a mapped global range of about 2,643 km².