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Fork-tailed Swift

(Apus pacificus)
Alternative name: "White-rumped Swift"
Size: 17-18 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Fork-tailed Swifts are migrants to Australia from the north. They can appear anywhere along the north coast, from Exmouth in WA to Fraser Island in QLD. To the best of our knowledge, Fork-tailed Swifts never set foot on Australian soil. They are found in the air above the tropical north of the continent, down to the geographic latitude of Exmouth in WA, and above the eastern half of the continent, eastward of about Lake Eyre in SA. In the eastern half of Australia they progress to the far south, including Bass Strait and Tasmania. There are also occasional reports of sightings in the western half and the south coast of WA.

Fork-tailed Swifts are observed above a variety of habitats on the ground, from coastal and urban areas to the open plains of the semi-arid interior.

Sightings

First spotted by us 20 km east of Narrabri, NSW, in December 2006. One single Fork-tailed Swift was the last hunter out well after sunset, in poor light. The size, flight patterns and pointed tail end in fast flight make the identification reliable. For comparison, the quite similar White-throated Needletail, apart from its white patches, has a stouter body shape.

Photos

Distant view of a Fork-tailed Swift

Closer view of a Fork-tailed Swift (bad photo)

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Migratory Elementary unit: FLock

Food

Like other swifts, Fork-tailed Swifts are insect hunters. They catch and devour their prey in-flight.