The Little Swift (Apus affinis), or House Swift, is a small bird, superficially similar to a Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles. The eastern race, House Swift, is sometimes considered a separate species, Apus nipalensis. These birds have very short legs which they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces. The scientific name comes from the Greek ñÃâ¬Ã¿Ãâ¦Ãâ, apous, meaning without feet. They never settle voluntarily on the ground.
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