Aves Apus apus, commonly known as the Common Swift (and locally in the Comunidad Valenciana as "Vencejo Común"), is a remarkable bird species renowned for its aerial prowess and unique lifestyle.

Habitat and Distribution:

• The Common Swift is a migratory bird that breeds across Europe and Asia, including the Comunidad Valenciana.
• It is typically found above urban areas, open countrysides, and occasionally near water bodies.

Physical Characteristics:

• They have a distinctive dark, sooty brown color, appearing almost black in flight, with a slightly paler throat.
• Their bodies are streamlined, measuring about 16-17 cm in length with a wingspan of 42-48 cm.
• They possess crescent-shaped wings that facilitate agile flying, allowing them to glide effortlessly in the sky.

Behavior and Diet:

• Common Swifts are aerial masters, spending most of their lives in flight.
• They feed primarily on insects and airborne spiders, capturing them on the wing.
• These birds are known for their acrobatic displays and swift, agile movements.

Reproduction:

• Swifts mate for life, and they are known for their loyalty to nesting sites, often returning to the same location each breeding season.
• They build their nests in crevices of buildings and cliffs, using materials gathered in flight.

Conservation Status:

• The Common Swift is currently not considered endangered, but habitat loss and changes in building structures threaten their nesting sites.

The Vencejo Común is celebrated for its speed and endurance, spending much of its life on the wing. It is a true symbol of the skies in the Comunidad Valenciana.