Induced alloparental care in Common Swifts (Apus apus)

• Published in: European Journal of Ecology
• Main Authors: Amnon Hahn, Reuven Yosef
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Kansas Libraries 2020
• Subjects: nest-box; rescue; rehabilitation; survival; Ecology; QH540-549.5; Apus apus
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v6i2.14586; https://doaj.org/article/980a9feae3604d70b61cd4b18b9f233b

The Common Swift, in spite of being considered to be of Least Concern, is declining in many areas of its breeding range. In several countries nest-box programs have been initiated to counter these declines. In most cases, when nestlings fall out of their nests, they are taken to rehabilitation centres. Raising and caring for Common Swift nestlings is not easy, cheap and usually results in low survival rates. We experimented with introducing the rescued young into existing nests and found that they were readily accepted and all five of the young fledged successfully. We recommend alloparenting as the preferred option when precocial nestlings are rescued and active nests of other pairs are available.