It seems to the inexperienced observer that there is no special difference between swifts and swallows. They lead a similar lifestyle: these birds feed on insects caught on the fly in the air; both are excellent flyers. The shape of the beak in them is similar: short with a wide incision.
These birds are in the air almost all day, writing out intricate pirouettes. On the land of swifts and swallows you rarely see. In the spring they fly to us from warm places, in the fall they fly back.
In fact, these birds have a lot of differences. So, let's compare the swallows and swifts. They have more differences than similarities. They are not even “close relatives”, as they relate to different species. Swifts - to the order of long-winged (Swifts), and swallows - to passerines.
If you compare the swallows and swifts from the ground, observing them in flight, you can see the difference in maneuverability. The second fly fast and very fast, and the first write intricate pirouettes in the air. Swifts in flight speed are champions among birds: it is known that they can develop it up to 150 km / h. Swallows on this indicator lose to them (up to 60 km / h), but surpass them in maneuverability.
When the birds are in the air, another comparison can be made. Swallows and swifts can be distinguished by the color of the abdomen, which is clearly visible from below. The former have a white breast, and the latter is dark. Swifts, unlike swallows, never fold their wings. Flying swifts emit loud screams, especially cutting ears when their flocks rush above the ground in search of prey.
If you can take a closer look at the birds and make a more detailed comparison of swallows and swifts, you can notice other differences, the main of which is the structure of the legs. At the swallow it, like most birds, has four fingers, three of which are directed forward, and the fourth - back. In swifts all four fingers are directed forward. This gives them the opportunity to cling paws to any vertical surface. Sometimes the swifts even sleep, clinging to the wall with their claws.
Chirping of swallows turns into melodic trills, and in swifts, screams sometimes turn into screeching. Another difference is the structure of the tail and wings. In swallows, the tail is fork-shaped and longer than in swifts. The wings of the second are larger and wider, have a crescent shape.
Birds also differ in plumage. The swallows have a bluish, shiny, with a black tint, white breast. On the head of the “cap” is reddish-red, a bright spot under the throat. Swifts have a dark color with a slightly greenish tint and a white speck on the throat.
The way of life of birds is also different. Both the swift and the swallow incubate the nestlings in the nest. The difference is that the latter make their nests under the roofs of houses, under the eaves. They have 4-5 chicks who, with open mouths, wait for their parents to put another serving of food there.
Swifts usually lay 2 eggs in various burrows where they build nests. Sometimes swifts with battle seize other people's homes. They feed hatched chicks with a compressed lump of food. Swifts do not teach kids to fly. Having strengthened, they themselves fly out of the nest.
With the onset of cold weather, both one and the other fly south. Places where swallows and swifts winter: South Africa, Madagascar. Birds have to travel great distances. On the way, they are 5-6 weeks, feeding on the fly. Flocks of birds spend the night in the reeds.
If the weather found them on the road, travelers can spend a few days in a daze, hiding in caves. Until favorable weather, all life processes in their body slow down. In the spring, they will overcome the same long path and return to their nests.
