swift

Fast-flying, short-legged bird of the family Apodidae, order Apodiformes, of which there are about 75 species, found largely in the tropics. They are 9-23 cm/4-11 in long, with brown or grey plumage, long, pointed wings, and usually a forked tail. They are capable of flying at 110 kph/70 mph.

The nests of the grey-rumped swiftlet Collocalia francica of Borneo consist almost entirely of solidified saliva, and are harvested for bird's-nest soup. The increasing removal of nests for commercial purposes is endangering the birds.

The chimney swift Chaetura pelagica, which breeds in North America, is 13 cm/5.5 in long, with a cigar-shaped body and a short, stubby, superficially unforked tail.