Birds on the Ground!

Did you find a swallow or a swift on the ground and don't know what to do?

The main reasons these birds are found on the ground are falling from their nests and collisions with human-made structures.

Nest falls are usually caused by the intense heat of the hottest days or the destruction of their nesting sites, which is explicitly prohibited by law.

It is crucial to help these birds, as they may not survive for long on the ground.

For immediate assistance, contact SEPNA/GNR or the nearest Wildlife Rescue Center.

World Swift Day

Today we celebrate Swift Day, a special date dedicated to raising awareness and conserving these extraordinary birds!

Did you know that swifts are essential for our well-being? By feeding exclusively on invertebrates, these birds play a crucial role in reducing the number of insects, many of which are harmful to agriculture.

With their aerodynamic bodies and long wings, these birds are perfectly adapted to their predominantly aerial lifestyle, capable of spending long months in flight. They can eat, drink, sleep, and even mate while flying.

Despite their adaptability and resilience, swifts are in decline. The main threats to the conservation of these birds are:

• Changes in agricultural practices, leading to a decrease in the number of invertebrates;

• Poor management of many buildings, leading to the destruction of nests of these and other species;

• Climate change, which affects the annual food availability, compromising not only their nesting but also their migration to Africa.

Help us protect the species of swift found in Portugal by registering their colonies on our website!

Swifts' Nests

Did you know that of the 5 species of swift that nest in Portugal, not all use the same reproductive strategy?

The Alpine Swift (𝘛𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘺𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘣𝘢), the Common Swift (𝘈𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘶𝘴), the Pallid Swift (𝘈𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘴), and the Plain Swift (𝘈𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳) use small cracks in natural cliffs or man-made structures like buildings, walls, bridges, and viaducts. On the other hand, the White-rumped Swift (𝘈𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳) uses nests of the Red-rumped Swallow (𝘊𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢).

Swifts build small nests using twigs and feathers they catch in flight, which they glue together using their saliva to form a small cup. These nests are generally simpler and less structured than those of other birds and are usually only used to hold eggs. These birds are social and tend to form nesting colonies, sometimes with hundreds of nests.

If you know of any of these colonies, please register them on our website and help us learn more about the nesting sites of these birds!