One of the most famous folk signs is the low flight of swallows before the rain. And today, many, looking at the sky, remember it when light-winged nimble birds sweep past. And few people know that in fact the majority of those birds that we take for swallows belong to a completely different species. Namely to the swifts.
Similarities: swallows and swifts
Both of these birds are very common throughout the country. Their similarity is very great, especially for those who do not understand ornithology. Both swallows and swifts have dark plumage, a long tail. They also know how to gain a very high flight speed, plan above the ground itself, collecting midges. And the similarity does not end there. Both the color of the plumage and the approximate sizes are related. But there are significant differences.
Differences and similarities: swallows and swifts
Now let's try to understand this matter in detail. Let's find out how the birds differ, as well as their similarities. Swallows and swifts belong to different orders. The former belong to the passerines, while the latter belong to the long-winged birds.
How to distinguish a swallow from a swift?
Pay attention to how these feathered creatures fly. The differences lie in the ability of these birds to move. Their similarity is that both are excellent air pilots. But if the average flight speed of a swallow reaches 50-60 kilometers per hour, then catching a swift is an impossible task for other birds. These are real flight leaders. They can reach speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, but at the same time they lose to the swallows in maneuverability, since they often fly exclusively in a straight line.
The differences between these birds are hidden in appearance. The swallow's paws have a standard structure for passerines - three fingers look forward and one finger back. In the swifts, all four are directed directly. This prevents them from sitting, for example, on wires, but helps to cling to any ledge. This feature is very useful, because swifts often settle in burrows on cliffs of rivers, ponds or other bodies of water. Although, of course, it is not easy for an ordinary person to notice this particular detail.
And in color, the similarity of birds is far from complete. The color of the abdomen varies. In swallows, it is completely white. But swifts are content with a small snow-white spot on the breast.
Wings during the flight tend to fold only swallows. In addition, their size in swifts is much larger, and they differ in shape. If you notice a bird with very elongated crescent wings, then this is definitely not a swallow. But the tail of the swift is shorter and wider.
Another vivid sign by which anyone can distinguish these birds is their loudness. Usually only swifts differ in a loud voice and constant cries in flight.
Well, the last difference is territorial preference. Swallow is a frequent guest in any village, while swifts for the most part are urban residents.
Conclusion
Of course, when you look at these birds from the earth and see them exclusively as small dots in the sky, it is simply impossible to detect these differences. But if you put next to the photo swallows and swifts, then all the details of their appearance will be obvious. So now you will never confuse these two beautiful birds. After all, you know what there is a difference and similarity between them. Swallows and swifts are similar, but there are many differences between them.