Scientific name: Apus caffer (Lichtenstein, 1823)
Bird group: Swifts
Field characters. 14 cm. Smaller than Common Swift. General colouring and shape same as Swift. Back dark glossy blue, face pale, white feathers on rump, forming narrow band, and white trailing edge to secondaries. Wings more pointed, tail more deeply forked.
Voice. Lower than Common Swift, a guttural chatter.
Distribution. Summer visitor. Local and rare in south-west Spain.
Habitat. Near towns and cities. Breeds in nests of swallows, especially those of Red-rumped Swallow.
Food. Insects and other flying invertebrates. Feeds near colonies, often at considerable height.