Plain Swift Apus unicolor

The Plain Swift looks superficially similar to the Common Swift and has similar habits such as staying mainly in the air and nesting on cliff faces. Large flocks nesting on the Canary Islands are usually Plain Swifts, although Common Swifts also pass through and the white-throated Pallid Swifts also breed there.

Not easy to photograph since they are very SWIFT, especially close to. They swoop over water for insects and dip to drink (above right).

Male and female have similar plumage. They usually fly in flocks.