Apus (genus)

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Apus
Cape Swift (Apus caffer), Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve

Cape Swift ( Apus caffer ), Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Sailor birds (Apodiformes)
Family : Sailors (Apodidae)
Tribe : Apodini
Genre : Apus
Scientific name
Apus
Scopoli , 1777

Apus is a genus of birdsinthe sailor family (Apodidae). The genus comprises 15 species , the status of three other species is disputed.

species

The species in this genus are small to medium-sized sailors found only in the Old World , most of them in Africa. Of these, 6 are endemic , 5 other species overwinter or breed in Africa, but can also be found elsewhere. Five species breed in the western Palearctic , almost all of them overwinter in sub- Saharan Africa .

The best-known representative of this genus in Europe is the common swift , which is the only one there that has an extensive distribution. Other species of this genus that occur in Europe are pale swifts and Cape swifts , but these only occur in southern Europe . The largest species of this genus is the Pacific ship with a body length of 17 to 18 centimeters, the house ship with 12 centimeters the smallest.

description

Sailors are reminiscent of swallows , but are not closely related to them, it is a matter of convergent evolution . They feed exclusively on insects and arachnids , which they prey on in flight.

The wings are long and sickle-shaped, the tail is long compared to other sailors and deeply forked in most species, only in the house sailor it looks straight cut. Your "clamp foot" has strong claws, all four toes are pointing forward. The number of links at the 3rd and 4th toes is reduced to three. The legs are very short. There are two variants of plumage color: darker black with a lighter white throat and black to medium brown with a paler, less contrasting throat.

The sailors of the genus Apus nest in caves and crevices, mostly high up on rocks or buildings. The clutches are usually small (2–4 eggs).

Systematics

The following species are included in the genus:

Common swift over the Polish city of Żyrardów

Other species not recognized by all authors are Apus sladeniae , Apus balstoni and Apus toulsoni . The Alpine Swift is usually in recent classifications along with the shed sailor 's own genus Tachymarptis assigned.

poetry

literature

Web links

Commons : Apus  - collection of images, videos and audio files
  • Apus on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.