From Opus

Alternative name: Cape Verde Swift

Photo by Valéry Schollaert
Cape Verde, March 2012

Apus alexandri

[edit] Identification

13 cm

• Dark grey-brown
• Large pale throat-patch
• Shallow fork to the tail.

[edit] Distribution

The bluish tinge is not mentioned in most literature
Photo by Valéry Schollaert
Cape Verde, March 2012

Endemic to the Cape Verde Islands.
Occurs on all islands except Santa Luzia but may not breed on all of them. Breeding suspected on Sao Nicolau, Santo Antao, Brava, Fogo and Santiago.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1].

[edit] Habitat

Gullies and along cliffs and shorelines.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

The diet includes insects.

[edit] Breeding

It builds its saucer shaped nest from grass and feathers, and it is placed in a cliff, in a cave or in the roof of a building. 2 white eggs are laid.

[edit] Vocalisation

It has a high-pitched, screaming call with a buzzing quality.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. Wikipedia

• List of references

[edit] External Links