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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Apus pallidus
Pallid swift. Greek: ωχρoσταχτάρα. Gadouras river-mouth lagoon, June 2022.
Breeding migrant, common in large numbers in some areas. March to October. Length 16-17 cm, wingspan 42-46 cm. Sexes similar. Dark brown with large whitish throat patch, short forked tail, long crescent-shaped wings, scaled belly. Diverse habitats, often far from nesting sites, coastal lagoons in early morning and late afternoon; large colony in Rhodes town. Monogamous, nests in colonies in cliff crevices, old buildings. Fast flight with brief gliding spells. Spends most of its life on the wing. Feeds on insects caught in flight. Drinks on the wing by stooping low to skim briefly water surface. Can mate, sleep in flight. Shrill screaming call.
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