Identifying Common Swift Apus apus

There are not many swift or swiftlet species in HK so the identification is simply straight forward. The three commonest species are Pacific Swift, House Swift and Himalayan Swiftlet.

Common Swift should be one of the rarest swift species in HK (even it is called common). Due to its larger size, the only confusing species should be Pacific Swift.

For Common Swift, the identification is easy, just note for a large swift species with overall brownish plumage without white rump. The forehead and throat are pale, and the tail is deeply forked.

The call is also different comparing House and Pacific Swift, like this individual we saw in Jan 2015 in Hong Kong, which I heard its call first.

Common Swift - Jan 2015