Larger and longer winged than Swift A. apus, with greater bulk as evident in powerful flight. Silhouette thick-set, and tail relatively shorter than in Swift. Flight impressive, much more vigorous and powerful than smaller species. Plumage mainly umber-brown, distinctly paler above than all Apus except Pallid Swift A. pallidus, sharply relieved below by brown breast-band and white central underbody.

In temperate and Mediterranean habitats, breeding mainly in mountainous regions. Large daytime wanderings for food often take take birds through a wide variety of habitats.

May occur from March to September but most likely during spring migration.

Migration from Palaearctic on broad front through higher airspace than other species. Migration occurs mainly September to mid-October into Africa. First returning birds occur in the Mediterranean basin from mid-February.

Scarce annual visitor.

Up to 2005 there had been only two acceptable records in our area.