Swift
Length:25 cm.
Weight :184 g.
Speed:Fastest: 200 Km. / hrs.

Swift

Apodidae

Description:
There are nine types of swifts in Khao Sok National Park. Swifts have a compact body, narrow neck and relatively long wings. They are usually black and dark to pale brown in color and look somewhat similar to swallows although these species are not related at all. The family name of swifts, Apodidae, comes from the Greek word ‘apous’ which means ‘without feet’, and refers to the fact that swifts never
voluntarily settle on ground, hence spending most of their life high up in the air. They can actually stay in the air for 8 months or more without ever having to land! In Khao Sok National Park there is also an extraordinary species of swift, the black­nest swiftlet, which uses a form of echolocation to catch prey. All of the species in Khao Sok are categorized as ‘lower risk, least concern’ on the IUCN Red list.

Did you know...?

… that in Thailand 2 species of swifts are best known for their nests? These nests are edible for humans who boil them with herbs
US$ 1,200 per kilogram!