Common swift / Mauersegler (Apus apus)

Mindestens 20 Mauersegler beim Sportfeld in Rapperswil, wo Magnus und die Renegades gespielt haben. 2026-05-16 18:00:30 Rapperswil

Observations

First documented observation: 2020-06-10 in Sils. Most recent observation: 2026-05-16 in Rapperswil.

Description

Classification: Genus Apus (Apus); Subfamily Apodinae (Apodinae); Family Swifts (Apodidae)
General: Vielleicht haben wir bald Mauersegler Brutkästen am Haus!
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Zugvogel
Etymology: Die Etymologie des Wortes ist unklar, vorgeschlagen werden erstens ein eigenständiges Etymon, zweitens Verwandtschaft mit norddeutsch Spier(e) „Spitze, Rundholz, Stange“ und damit Bezugnahme auf die langen spitzen Flügel der Vögel und drittens eine lautmalerische Bezugnahme auf die charakteristischen Rufe. [Link]
Vocalization: A shrilling trill "zreeeee" of about 1 -2 seconds length, gradually rising in pitch with accentuated firs half, then falling from the middle of phrase. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Presence: 04-20 - 09-28
Breeding: 05-01 - 08-18
Migration in: 04-20 - 05-31
Migration out: 07-20 - 09-28
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=16-17 cm, wingspan=42-48 cm, weight=31-56 g
Habitats: Settlement

Vocalisation

Song: Song: Sie singen im Flug (eigentlich LEBEN sie im Flug), und wenn du sie nicht siehst, schau weiter hoch, dann noch einmal - sie können mehrere 100m hoch fliegen oft in Gruppen von 3-10. Kappe abziehen wenn nötig! [Link]
A shrilling trill "zreeeee" of about 1 -2 seconds length, gradually rising in pitch with accentuated firs half, then falling from the middle of phrase. Often continued with a dry lower pitched "trrrrrr" before calling again. [Link]
Song attributes: Melody: simple rhythmic, fast, Frequency: 5-7 KHz
Calls: Often continued with a dry lower pitched "trrrrrr" before calling again. Very vocal at breeding area, and often a flock will call together. Despite being quite similar to Pallid Swift, the call is probably the best field character to separate the two. Pallid puts the stress on the ending of the call, followed by a quick fall in pitch (dynamics like moaning with a quick release). Plain Swift calls similar to Common Swift, but differs in slightly fluctuating pitch during the call, and a loss of resonance towards the ending (thinner sounding). [Link] Heard from high in the air
XC564619 - Common Swift - Apus apus - calls.

XC564619 - Common Swift - Apus apus - calls. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC564619 - Common Swift - Apus apus - calls.mp3 (call)


Call attributes: Call melody: one note, fast, Frequency: 4-7 KHz,