inexperienced observer it seems that much of a difference between Swifts and swallows there.They lead a similar lifestyle, these birds feed on insects caught on the fly in the air;and those and others - are excellent fliers.The shape of the beak they have in common: a short wide cut.
in the air, these birds are almost all day, writing intricate pirouettes.On the ground, swifts and swallows rarely seen.In the spring they come to us from warm autumn fly back.
In fact, these birds have a lot of differences.Thus, comparison swallows and swifts.The differences have a much greater than the similarities.They do not even "close relatives" because they relate to different species.Swifts - to the order whitetip (apodiformes), and swallows - to the sparrow.
When compared swallows and swifts on the ground, watching them in flight, you can see the difference in maneuverability.The second fly fast and very fast, and the first prescribed intricate pirouettes in the air.Swifts speed flight - champions among the birds know that they can develop it to 150 km / h.Swallows on this indicator they lose (up to 60 km / h), but surpass them in agility.
When the birds are in the air, you can spend and another comparison.Swallows and swifts can be distinguished by the color of the abdomen, which can be clearly seen from the bottom.At first the white breast, while the second is dark.Swift, unlike swallows, wings never adds up.Flying martins make loud cries, especially cutting the ear, when their flocks are worn above the ground in search of prey.
If we can get a closer look of birds and a more detailed comparison of the swallows and swifts, you may notice other differences, the main one - the structure of the legs.We swallow it, like most birds have four toes, three of which are directed forward, and the fourth - back.Swifts have sent forward all four fingers.This gives them the ability to cling to paws for any vertical surface.Sometimes even swifts sleep, clutching his claws against the wall.
chirping of swallows becomes melodious trill, while the swifts screaming sometimes turn into screams.Another difference - the structure of the tail and wings.At swallows forked tail and longer than that of the swifts.Wings second longer and wider, have a crescent shape.
Birds differ in plumage.At swallows it bluish, shiny, black tide, a white breast.At the head of the "cap" rusty-red color, a bright spot under the throat.Swifts have a dark color with a slightly greenish tint and a white spot on the throat.
Lifestyle birds also differs.Chicks in the nest hatch and swift, and the swallow.The difference is that the second weave their nests under the eaves of houses under the eaves.They can be 4-5 chicks who with their mouths open waiting for the parents to put another batch of food.
Swifts usually lay 2 eggs in a variety of burrows, where they build nests.Sometimes Swifts to fight someone else's home seized.Hatched chicks are fed by compressed lump of food.Swifts do not teach kids to fly.Firmly established, they do fly out of the nest.
With the onset of cold and alone, and others fly south.Places where the swallows and swifts winter: South Africa, Madagascar.Birds have to travel great distances.In a way they are 5-6 weeks, feeding on the fly.Flocks of birds spend the night in the reeds.
If the road they found the storm, travelers can spend a few days in a daze, hiding in caves.Before the onset of good weather all the vital processes in their body slows down.In the spring they will overcome a long way and come back to their nests.
