See SWALLOW.
Swift. The swift is a small migratory bird often confused with the swallow. Although they are similar, the two birds come from different families. Swifts are strong fliers that can travel short distances at over 100 m. p. h. They spend much of their time feeding on airborne insects.
The prophet Jeremiah must have known the migrating habits of the swift. He spoke of this bird and others that "observe the time of their coming." Unlike these birds, he observed, the rebellious people of the nation of Judah "do not know the judgment of the Lord" (Jer 8:7).
A swift is a small bird and a strong flyer (genus Apus). Like the swallow, it has long, bent wings and a split tail. These help it fly very fast as it skims the ground and sweeps through the air. A swift eats many harmful insects, catching them in its mouth while flying.
Many swifts build nests in rooftops or small spaces in city walls. Their nests are made of strong feathers glued together with saliva. Other swifts live in caves or cracks in rocks.
Common swifts are native to Israel. In the Jordan Valley they often gather in large flocks. The swift has a soft, delicate voice, and its cry could be easily interpreted as melodious wailing.
Swifts migrate with great timing (Jeremiah 8:7). They arrive in the Holy Land in late winter. Huge flocks fill the cities with their cries.
Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary © 2026 Mission Mutual, an adaptation of the Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.