Malagasy Black Swift
Apus balstoni
Malagasy Black Swift (Apus balstoni) — Swifts of Africa.
The Malagasy Black Swift (Apus balstoni) is a member of the Apodidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 42.8 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 Apus
- Species balstoni
Quick facts
- Weight
- 42.8 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Apodidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Malagasy Black 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.
Migration
The Malagasy Black Swift is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Malagasy Black Swift (Apus balstoni) belongs to the Apodidae family of the order Apodiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Comoros and Madagascar.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 42.8 g, with a wing length of about 16.1 cm and a tail of around 7.1 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 593,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Malagasy Black Swift?
The Malagasy Black Swift is a small bird that weighs around 42.8 g.
Where does the Malagasy Black Swift live?
The Malagasy Black Swift is found across Africa with a range covering AF Comoros and Madagascar, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Malagasy Black Swift belong to?
The Malagasy Black Swift (Apus balstoni) belongs to the Apodidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Malagasy Black Swift eat?
The Malagasy Black Swift is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Malagasy Black Swift migrate?
The Malagasy Black Swift is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Malagasy Black 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 Malagasy Black Swift make?
1 real field recording of the Malagasy Black Swift — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Malagasy Black Swift's range?
The Malagasy Black Swift has a mapped global range of about 593,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Apodidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Swifts
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern