Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range and the population size is extremely large, hence does not approach threatened thresholds for the range or population size criteria. The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion. For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
In Europe, the total population size is estimated at 647,000-1,460,000 mature individuals, with 323,000-726,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife International 2021), and comprises approximately 30% of the species' global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is between 2,160,000-4,870,000 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is desirable. In Europe, the overall trend for this species is not known (BirdLife International 2021). As no other data are available to derive trends, the global population trend for this species is unknown.
Trend justification
.
The species occurs over a wide range of habitats and forages over vast areas. It is found in temperate and Mediterranean zones, typically in mountains but occasionally in lowlands. It breeds from March to June. It typically lays three eggs. It uses ledges or holes in cliff-faces or tall man-made structures with the pairs using the same nest-site in successive years. The nest is saucer-shaped, consisting of downy feathers from many species, and swift primaries, tightly bound with dried plant matter and saliva (Chantler et al. 2014). The species is migratory, with West Palearctic populations probably wintering all across the northern tropics of Africa (Snow and Perrins 1998).
Foraging habitats are lost to human development across its range. In addition, the increasing use of pesticides reduces both the numbers and variety of insects available for it to feed on (Perrins 2009).
Conservation Actions Underway
Bern Convention Appendix II. There are no known current conservation measures for this species within its European range.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Key foraging areas should be identified and protected from development and the use of pesticides should be reduced.
Text account compilers
Martin, R., Rutherford, C.A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/alpine-swift-tachymarptis-melba on 22/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/11/2024.