Although this small bird is superficially similar to a house martin, it is not closely related to that passerine species.

The resemblances between the swallows and swifts are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.

It is similar to the closely related little swift, but is slimmer, darker and has a more forked tail and a narrower white rump.

They never settle voluntarily on the ground, and spend most of their lives in the air, feeding on insects that they catch in their beaks.

White-rumped swifts breed in much of sub-Saharan Africa, and have expanded into Morocco and southern Spain.