Mysterious Swifts

[Wild-Woman]

Spending most of their time on the wing, it came as a bit of a surprise to me, that swifts have been known to roost a bit like bats do, in a tree, hanging upside-down.
Understandably their legs won't hold their weight, so clinging is easier and less energy is expended.
Now, the article I read suggested that this practise is mainly with first year migrating swifts and that the older ones can roost on the wing, even during the night.
Why the mystery-well, in the early hours, in a blue sky why don't we see more swifts? Is it that they are incredibly high up or could it be that actually 'a lot' of swifts roost in trees without us realising??

[The Black Rabbit]

I think its because the ones that aren't under eaves etc... are indeed, very high up.
(Might be wrong but thats what I think).

Swifts are wonderful birds - my favourite of all our feathered friends.
Steeped in folklore and legend, the "Devils birds" do indeed have a bat-like quality about them.

Did you also know that for 9 months of the year they are SILENT.
In sub-Sahara Africa (where they spend those 9 months) they make no noise at all....

Then they get here and start screaming again!

I've put a swift camera box up under our eves and I am hoping we get a rooster (or a nester!) - though I fear I put it up a week late.
Here's hoping though...

TBR