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Fork-tailed Swift (Apus pacificus)

The Fork-tailed Swift is a highly aerial, insect-eating migrant that occurs across Australia during the non-breeding season. It may pass over any clearing or construction site, often at considerable height, and is most likely to be detected during suitable weather or ahead of storm fronts. It is listed as a migratory species under the EPBC Act through CAMBA, JAMBA and ROKAMBA, and is least concern in Australia.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Listed migratory. Listed under CAMBA, JAMBA and ROKAMBA. Listed migratory species are a matter of national environmental significance, so a significant impact needs referral.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Special least concern. A least concern bird covered by an international migratory bird agreement. Tampering with its breeding place needs a high risk species management program.

Western Australia, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Specially protected (migratory).

Migration and breeding season

The Fork-tailed Swift is a non-breeding migrant in Australia and breeds in eastern Asia. Arrival and departure vary between regions, with birds generally arriving from September to November and leaving during April; sightings and flock sizes can also vary with weather systems.

Breeding mode: Colonial breeder overseas. The Fork-tailed Swift does not breed in Australia.

Breeding season: April to July in breeding areas outside Australia.

Nest and breeding sites: Nests are built on mountain cliffs, rock crevices, sea-cliffs and, in some areas, sheltered vertical surfaces on buildings.

Clutch size: Usually 2 to 3 eggs per brood.

Incubation: About 17 days, with both parents incubating.

Fledging and dependency: Not recorded.

Age at maturity and breeding frequency: Not recorded. No breeding frequency is stated.

Timing varies between years and regions because movements are weather influenced, with birds often travelling ahead of low-pressure systems and storm fronts.

  • Breeding overseas, eastern Asia: Breeding occurs outside Australia from April to July, while the Australian population is away from its non-breeding range.
  • Southward arrival and passage into Australia: Some birds arrive from September, with most arrivals reported in October and further passage through November and December.
  • Non-breeding presence in Australia: The species is widely dispersed across Australia during the austral summer and may occur over almost any open or wooded habitat, coast, inland plain or urban area.
  • Northward departure to breeding areas: Birds begin leaving southern Australia in early April and northern Australia by the end of April.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing risk is generally low because birds are aerial and do not breed or establish known roosts in Australia, but works during the October to April presence period can affect concentrated flocks or flying birds, particularly where tall structures or overhead lines are involved.

Identification: Appearance

The Fork-tailed Swift is a medium to large, blackish swift with a long, deeply forked tail. It is usually seen in flight, often high above the ground, and can be difficult to identify without a clear view or an experienced observer.

Look for a blackish bird with a white rump band, a white patch on the chin, throat and underbody, and a long, deeply forked black brown tail.

The underparts can appear scaly because of pale feather fringes. The wings are long and narrow, and the bird has a fast, efficient flight style.

Flight height: Usually aerial, from about 1 m to 300 m above ground, and sometimes higher

Behaviour: Gregarious, with flocks ranging from a few birds to hundreds or thousands

  • Body length, 18 to 21 cm
  • Wingspan, about 40 to 42 cm
  • Weight, about 30 to 40 g
  • White rump band and pale throat and underbody markings
  • Long, deeply forked tail

Identification: Calls and similar species

The call is a distinctive swift vocalisation that experienced observers may recognise high in the air. It includes typical swift screams, with trilled or harsher notes.

The general shape can resemble a Common Swift. Check the white rump band, deeper tail fork, broader rump and patterned underparts. A White-rumped Swift is more slender and has a longer, more deeply forked tail.

  • Do not rely on silhouette alone when the bird is distant.
  • Record the call, flight direction, flock size and weather conditions where possible.
  • Swifts do not use echolocation.

Identification: Field signs

There are generally no reliable ground signs to search for in Australia. The species rarely lands and is believed to roost on the wing, although it has occasionally been observed to land.

Do not expect droppings, whitewash, odour, stains, nests or breeding colonies at an Australian work site. A swift seen over a site is usually a transient aerial record.

  • Use elevated viewpoints where available.
  • Scan open sky, storm fronts, ridgelines, water and the edges of woodland.
  • Take photographs or make a sound recording when identification is uncertain.

Distribution: Australian range

The Fork-tailed Swift is a regular non-breeding migrant from eastern Asia. It visits all Australian states and territories and can occur over both natural and highly modified landscapes.

The species is widespread but often scattered in Australia. Records occur in all regions of New South Wales and Victoria, throughout much of Queensland, and across Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia.

Tasmania has sparse but widespread records, including Bass Strait islands. The species also visits Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Island and passes over Ashmore Reef.

  • Western Australia, widespread from the Kimberley and Pilbara to the south west and south coast
  • Northern Territory, widespread but scattered across the Top End and further inland
  • Queensland, common in parts of the north east, with records from Cape York, Gulf Country, inland districts and south east Queensland
  • New South Wales and Victoria, widespread but scattered, including inland and coastal areas
  • South Australia, widespread in the south and with inland records around the Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre and Innamincka
  • Tasmania, sparse but widespread

Distribution: Overseas range

The species breeds in northern and eastern Asia, from Siberia to Japan and south to Indochina and northern Thailand. The population visiting Australia is generally treated as the nominate subspecies, Apus pacificus pacificus.

  • Breeding range includes mountain cliffs, rock crevices and island caves in Asia.
  • The species spends the non-breeding season in Australia and nearby parts of Indonesia and Melanesia.

Distribution: Site records and detection

Because the species is highly mobile and aerial, a lack of records from a site does not demonstrate absence. It can fly over a project area without landing or using the vegetation below.

Treat the entire airspace over a project area as potential occurrence during the Australian non-breeding season, especially where open plains, water, woodland edges or storm systems are present.

  • Check local records and long term databases.
  • Ask local bird observers about seasonal movements and large flocks.
  • Record direction of travel, height, flock size and weather conditions.

Habitat: Landscapes used in Australia

The Fork-tailed Swift is almost exclusively aerial and is not tied to one vegetation community. For site assessment, focus on the airspace over open and semi open landscapes rather than on a particular ground cover.

Look for the species over inland open plains, dry open woodland, heathland, marshland, farmland, residential areas and coastal environments. It may also occur over beaches, cliffs and inland or coastal sand dunes.

The species can be seen over both intact habitat and highly modified areas. Urban areas may be used as flyover habitat, but they are unlikely to contain important habitat or ecologically significant proportions of the population on their own.

  • Open plains and broad cleared areas
  • Woodland edges and open forest
  • Wetlands, marshes and waterbodies
  • Coastal cliffs, beaches and dunes
  • Open farmland and residential zones

Habitat: Features to check on a work site

Map broad areas of open airspace, particularly where a project may introduce tall structures, overhead lines or turbines. Include nearby water, woodland edges, ridges and coastal interfaces in the assessment.

The species may follow favourable weather across a site. Habitat below the flight path can change while the birds continue to forage overhead.

  • Open work fronts and cleared paddocks
  • Valleys, ridges and coastal interfaces that may concentrate flying birds
  • Waterbodies and wetland margins
  • Areas exposed to strong winds or storm fronts

Habitat: Important habitat

Important habitat is non-breeding habitat used by the species while in Australia. It includes suitable airspace over open plains and wooded areas where birds can forage and move.

No reliable area threshold is currently available for this species. Assess the scale and continuity of the airspace, the frequency and size of flocks, and the likely risk from the proposed action.

  • Avoid assuming that a small ground footprint means a small aerial impact.
  • Consider the full height of cranes, buildings, lines, turbines and other structures.
  • Treat repeated records or large flocks as a reason for more detailed assessment.

Foraging habitat: Foraging areas

The Fork-tailed Swift catches insects in flight. It often forages high above the ground and may gather in large flocks where winds and low pressure systems lift flying insects.

Foraging can occur over dry woodland, open plains, heathland, marshland, farmland, residential areas, coastal margins and water. The species may also forage among the tops of open forest.

It commonly uses airspace along the edges of low pressure systems. Strong winds and rising air can assist flight and concentrate prey.

  • Open airspace above grassland and cleared land
  • Woodland and open forest edges
  • Wetlands and water margins
  • Coastal areas and offshore waters
  • Airspace ahead of or around storm fronts

Foraging habitat: Diet and flocking

The diet consists of insects caught in flight. Recorded prey includes small bees, wasps, termites and moths.

Flocks may contain 10 to 1000 birds, with much larger aggregations recorded in Australia. Mixed feeding flocks with other aerial insectivores may occur.

Typical flight height: Up to about 300 m, although birds may fly lower in poor weather

Foraging pattern: Mobile and weather dependent, often along storm fronts and areas of updraught

  • Bees
  • Wasps
  • Termites
  • Moths and other flying insects

Foraging habitat: Practical survey guidance

There is no standard survey method designed specifically for swifts. Counts are best made by an experienced observer from an elevated viewpoint during the Australian summer.

Short surveys can miss the species because birds are transitory and may pass through only during suitable weather. Record weather, visibility and wind conditions with every observation.

  • Survey on multiple days where a project has substantial clearing or tall structures.
  • Use timed area counts and record all aerial birds, not only Fork-tailed Swifts.
  • Use local observer records and long term databases to supplement field surveys.
  • For tall or large structures, consider collision risk modelling based on flight height.

Breeding habitat: Breeding range

The Fork-tailed Swift does not breed in Australia. Australian projects do not contain breeding habitat, nests or breeding colonies for this species, but impacts on migrating and non-breeding birds still require consideration.

Breeding occurs outside Australia in northern and eastern Asia. Breeding areas extend from Siberia to Japan and south to Indochina and northern Thailand.

Breeding habitat includes mountain cliffs, vertical rock faces, natural crevices, sea cliffs and island rock caves. Some colonies also use sheltered areas under building eaves or roofs.

  • Mountain cliffs and vertical rock faces
  • Natural rock crevices and caves
  • Island rock caves and sea cliffs
  • Occasional sheltered building structures overseas

Breeding habitat: Nest and eggs

The nest is a shallow half cup attached to a ledge or vertical surface. It is made from feathers, dry grass and other light material collected in flight and fixed with saliva.

A clutch normally contains 2 to 3 white eggs. Both adults incubate, with incubation taking about 17 days.

Breeding season: April to July outside Australia

Clutch: Normally 2 to 3 eggs

  • Colonial breeder in the overseas breeding range
  • Nest materials are collected in flight
  • No Australian breeding sites are expected

Breeding habitat: Implications for clearing

Do not spend effort searching Australian trees, hollows or ground vegetation for Fork-tailed Swift nests. A construction site may still be used as aerial habitat during the non-breeding season.

Manage the risk to flying birds, particularly where the project creates tall structures, overhead lines, turbines or large areas of altered airspace.

  • Confirm whether the project overlaps the September to April period of Australian use.
  • Include the surrounding airspace in impact assessment.
  • Do not infer that the absence of a nest removes EPBC obligations.

Sheltering habitat: Roosting behaviour

The species is almost entirely aerial while in Australia. It probably roosts on the wing and rarely comes to land, so conventional shelter and roost searches are unlikely to be useful.

The Fork-tailed Swift is believed to roost aerially. It has occasionally been observed to land, but no consistent Australian roost structure is recognised.

Do not expect roosts in tree hollows, caves, burrows, dense vegetation or artificial structures at Australian work sites.

  • Predominantly aerial
  • Rarely lands
  • No known Australian breeding or maternity roosts
  • No reliable roost size or roost site threshold

Sheltering habitat: What to look for

The most useful evidence is repeated aerial activity, especially flocks over open ground, water, woodland edges or coastal airspace. A bird resting briefly on a structure should be recorded, but should not automatically be treated as a roost.

If birds appear grounded or exhausted, minimise handling and seek advice from a qualified wildlife carer or fauna ecologist.

  • Repeated flight activity over the same area
  • Large flocks associated with weather systems
  • Birds flying low during poor weather
  • Any unusual landing or collision event

Sheltering habitat: Site management

There are no species specific roost buffers or exclusion zones identified for Australian sites. Focus management on reducing collision and disturbance risks in the airspace used by the birds.

Keep records of weather, flight height, flock size and direction. These observations are more useful than searches for ground shelter.

  • Use elevated observation points where possible.
  • Review lighting and structure design where birds may fly at night or in poor visibility.
  • Report collisions and unusual concentrations to the project ecologist.

Migration and seasonal presence: Seasonal presence

The Fork-tailed Swift is a non-breeding migrant in Australia. It generally arrives from September to October, moves through the country during the warmer months, and departs in April for breeding areas in Asia.

Some birds may arrive as early as September, with October the most common arrival month in parts of Australia. Birds enter through northern Australia, including north western Australia, then spread through mainland Australia.

Victoria is typically reached in December and January. Sightings in Queensland are commonly reported from February to March, although the species can occur there outside those months.

  • Early arrivals, September
  • Main arrival period, October to November in northern Australia
  • Southern Australia, commonly December to January
  • Common Queensland sightings, February to March
  • Departure from Australia, April

Migration and seasonal presence: Passage and movement

Southward migration to Australia occurs during austral autumn, with birds arriving through northern Australia and continuing south. Northward migration occurs during austral autumn from Australia to Asia, while the broader seasonal return movement is associated with austral spring in the migration cycle.

Within Australia, birds are highly mobile and may move daily during the non-breeding season. They often follow low pressure systems and storm fronts.

  • Count swifts during the Australian summer.
  • Expect irregular passage records rather than steady local occupancy.
  • Watch after weather changes, especially near storm fronts and strong updraughts.
  • Southern Australia may retain birds until early April, while northern birds may depart by the end of April.

Migration and seasonal presence: What counts as important seasonal habitat

Important seasonal habitat is the airspace over areas used for foraging, movement or repeated flock activity during the non-breeding season. This can include open plains, wooded areas, water, farmland, heathland, marshland and coastal airspace.

There is no reliable area threshold for this species. Repeated records, large flocks, regular flight paths and structures that intersect commonly used flight heights should receive closer assessment.

  • Record the number of birds and frequency of observations.
  • Map flight direction and height in relation to proposed structures.
  • Consider the full migration period from September to April.
  • Treat large or tall structures as a potential collision issue even where ground habitat is modified.

Migration and seasonal presence: Legal timing and referral

The Fork-tailed Swift is listed as migratory under the EPBC Act through CAMBA, JAMBA and ROKAMBA. An action that is likely to have a significant impact on the species may require referral before work starts.

In Queensland, this least concern bird is a special least concern animal because it is covered by the migratory bird agreements. Tampering with its breeding places requires a high risk species management program, although breeding places for the species are outside Australia.

  • Check EPBC referral requirements before finalising project design.
  • Consider the seasonal presence period when planning tall structure works and monitoring.
  • Obtain state or territory fauna advice where clearing, construction or collision risk may affect migratory birds.

Threats: Collision with structures

The Fork-tailed Swift is listed as least concern, but individual birds can be exposed to project risks while migrating or foraging. The main development issue is collision with tall or linear structures, rather than loss of a breeding site.

Tall buildings, wind turbines and overhead power lines can kill migrating birds, particularly in poor visibility or at night. Risk is difficult to predict because swift movements depend on weather, wind and local flight conditions.

Assess the height, location, lighting and visibility of proposed structures in relation to observed flight paths and flock activity.

  • Tall buildings and cranes
  • Wind turbines and associated infrastructure
  • Overhead power lines
  • Temporary structures that remain in place during migration

Threats: Habitat loss and altered airspace

Clearing can remove or alter areas below used airspace, but the species is wide ranging and aerial. For many projects, the direct loss of ground habitat is likely to be small compared with the potential effect of a large or tall structure.

Consider cumulative effects where several projects create barriers or reduce open flight space across a movement route.

  • Loss of open foraging areas
  • Changes to woodland edges, wetlands or coastal interfaces
  • Multiple structures across a regularly used flight path
  • Reduced visibility caused by lighting or weather conditions

Threats: Weather and poor visibility

Swifts may travel ahead of storm fronts and can be present in large numbers when conditions lift insects. Strong winds, rain, fog, dust and darkness can reduce visibility and increase collision risk.

Record weather during surveys and incident monitoring. A low count during calm conditions does not rule out later use of the site.

  • Storm fronts and low pressure systems
  • Fog, rain and low cloud
  • Night work and artificial lighting
  • Strong winds and sudden weather changes

Threats: Predation and legal protection

Predation by feral animals and habitat destruction are recognised broad threats, although the Fork-tailed Swift spends very little time on the ground in Australia. Cats, dogs and foxes are therefore less likely to affect birds while they remain airborne.

The species is protected as a migratory matter of national environmental significance. Actions likely to have a significant impact require EPBC Act consideration, and Queensland projects must also consider the special least concern animal provisions.

  • Maintain site controls for feral cats, dogs and foxes where grounded or injured birds could occur.
  • Report collisions and unusual mortality promptly.
  • Seek ecological and legal advice where large flocks, repeated records or tall structures are involved.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Fork-tailed Swifts are highly mobile, aerial migrants. They can pass over a site without landing, so a short site visit may not detect them. Use repeated observations, local records and weather information to build a reliable picture of site use.

Check recent records and long term databases for the project area and surrounding region. Review records from local bird observers, nearby wetlands, open plains, woodlands, coastlines and known storm movement corridors.

Map the airspace above the project, including open plains, wooded areas, farmland, heathland, marshland, coastal areas, dunes and water. Treat the whole project area as potential foraging habitat where the species may fly overhead.

Identify proposed tall structures, wind turbines, overhead power lines, cranes and lighting. These features can create collision risk during migration, particularly in poor visibility or at night.

Australian status: Regular non breeding migrant and EPBC Act listed migratory species

Typical presence: Some arrivals from September, most commonly October, with departure from southern Australia in early April and from northern Australia by the end of April

Important habitat: Non breeding airspace over inland open plains to wooded areas, with use also recorded over coastal areas, water and other open habitats

  • Confirm whether the action may affect a migratory species protected under the EPBC Act.
  • Review the timing of clearing and construction against the usual September to April period of Australian presence.
  • Record nearby areas that could support large feeding flocks, especially locations exposed to updraughts or the edges of low pressure systems.

Survey methodology: 2. Field observation method

Use an experienced observer from an elevated viewpoint where one is safely available. Scan the airspace above the project and adjacent open areas rather than searching only the ground or vegetation.

Conduct observations during the Austral summer and repeat them on multiple days. Include the main period from October to March, with additional observations during September and April where works overlap the migration period.

Watch the edges of storm fronts and low pressure systems. Fork-tailed Swifts may move ahead of these systems, and weather strongly affects the chance of detection.

Flight height: Usually recorded from near ground level to hundreds of metres, with observations reported between less than 1 m and 1000 m and commonly up to about 300 m

Flock size: From single birds to flocks of 10 to 1000, with much larger Australian flocks also recorded

Foraging behaviour: Insects are taken in flight, often near updraughts and low pressure systems

  • Undertake timed area counts of all birds when the project includes substantial habitat loss or large or tall structures.
  • Use counts per hour and record the duration and area covered for each observation period.
  • Observe from more than one suitable viewpoint where the project is large or the proposed structure may affect several flight paths.
  • Do not rely on a single short survey to demonstrate absence. Swifts are transitory and may be missed during short visits.

Survey methodology: 3. Identification and records

Confirm the identification before entering a record. Look for the blackish body, white rump band, white throat and underbody markings, long wings and deeply forked tail. A distinctive swift call can assist experienced observers when birds are high overhead.

Record the direction of travel and whether birds are feeding, commuting, circling, roosting on the wing or passing through. Note associations with White-throated Needletails or other aerial feeders without assuming all birds in the flock are the same species.

Survey limitation: There are no standard survey techniques specific to swifts

Useful conditions: Clear views of the sky, safe elevated viewpoints and observations during active weather systems can improve detection

Survey focus: Count birds in the airspace and assess collision risk as well as ground habitat

  • Record date, start and finish time, observer names, viewpoint, visibility, cloud, wind, rain, temperature where available and the presence of a storm front or low pressure system.
  • Record the number of Fork-tailed Swifts, flock size, flight direction, estimated height bands, behaviour and the area of airspace used.
  • Photograph or sound record birds where practical, but do not delay urgent construction controls while seeking a record.
  • Submit significant observations to the project database and relevant local or state biodiversity databases.

Survey methodology: 4. Collision risk assessment

For large or tall structures, combine timed bird counts with collision risk modelling. Model the flight heights that match the proposed structure rather than using a single broad height category.

Consider poor visibility, night movement, storm conditions, lighting and the position of the structure relative to open airspace, coastlines and areas used by feeding flocks.

Ecologically significant population thresholds: The guideline identifies 100 birds as 0.1 percent and 1000 birds as 1 percent of the population

Further investigation: Predicted effects at or above 100 individuals should be investigated through targeted surveys

Serious disruption indicator: Annual mortality or breeding cycle effects involving 1000 or more individuals may indicate serious disruption

  • Measure or estimate flight height in increments suited to the structure.
  • Record flight direction, crossing rates and the proportion of birds entering the proposed structure envelope.
  • Use conservative assumptions where the available observations are limited.
  • Refer the action under the EPBC Act if a significant impact on the listed migratory species may occur.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Confirm approvals and referral requirements

Plan works to avoid disturbing migratory birds and to prevent avoidable collision and handling incidents. The species does not breed in Australia, but legal obligations still apply to its use of Australian airspace and foraging habitat.

Screen the action under the EPBC Act before work starts. A proposed action that has or is likely to have a significant impact on the Fork-tailed Swift must be referred to the Australian Government Minister.

Obtain all required state or territory wildlife, clearing and fauna handling approvals. Confirm the conditions with the project ecologist and site supervisor before mobilisation.

EPBC status: Listed migratory species under the EPBC Act through CAMBA, JAMBA and ROKAMBA

Australian conservation status: Least concern and not listed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened in Australia

Queensland status: Least concern birds covered by JAMBA, CAMBA, ROKAMBA or the Bonn Convention are special least concern animals

  • In Queensland, check whether the species is a special least concern animal under the relevant legislation. Obtain a high risk Species Management Program before tampering with a breeding place of a listed special least concern animal.
  • Use only fauna spotter catchers and other wildlife handlers who hold the required authority for the state or territory and the task.
  • Keep approval documents, permit conditions, contact details and stop work procedures at the site office and in supervisor vehicles.
  • Do not assume that a low conservation status removes EPBC Act obligations.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Set the work window

Where practicable, schedule high risk construction activities outside the main Australian presence period. Allow for arrivals from September, common arrival in October, movement through the Austral summer and departure from southern Australia in early April and northern Australia by the end of April.

Do not treat a calendar restriction as a substitute for observations. Birds may arrive early, remain later or move through the project in response to weather.

Breeding location: Breeding occurs outside Australia in eastern Asia

Overseas breeding period: April to July

Australian use: Non breeding visitor, present across all states and territories

  • Avoid commencing tall structure erection, overhead line work and major night lighting changes during periods when repeated surveys show large flocks using the project airspace.
  • Check weather forecasts before high risk activities. Escalate controls when storm fronts, poor visibility or strong winds are expected.
  • Use the project ecologist to review any proposed work during active migration or immediately before a major weather system.
  • Do not schedule work around an Australian breeding season because the species does not breed in Australia. Manage the risk as a migratory and collision issue instead.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Establish avoidance controls

Retain open airspace and areas used by feeding flocks wherever practicable. Avoid placing tall structures across regularly used flight paths identified by surveys.

Use the design process to reduce collision risk before relying on operational controls.

Species habitat use: The species is almost exclusively aerial and may occur over the entire project area

Ground habitat: Open plains and wooded areas are used as the landscape below the flight path, but the bird forages in the airspace

Urban areas: Urban areas are generally unlikely to contain important habitat under the migratory bird referral guideline, although birds may still fly over them

  • Move structures away from repeatedly used flight corridors where the project design allows.
  • Avoid unnecessary overhead wires and temporary cables. Mark unavoidable lines in accordance with the project collision risk assessment.
  • Design lighting to minimise upward spill and unnecessary night illumination. Use shielding, downward direction and the lowest effective intensity.
  • Do not clear or disturb areas outside the approved footprint.
  • Set project specific exclusion areas around active flock concentrations, collision hotspots or other sensitive locations identified by the ecologist.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Complete the pre clearance briefing

Brief every worker, contractor and fauna spotter catcher before clearing or construction. Explain that a bird may be present high above the site and may not land.

Give the supervisor a simple stop work process. The process must cover a flock, an injured bird, an unexpected roost or any suspected active breeding place, even though Australian breeding is not expected for this species.

Handling: Only authorised wildlife personnel should handle a live or injured animal

Expected roosting: The species is believed to roost aerially, although it has occasionally been observed to land

Australian breeding place: No Australian breeding place is expected for this species

  • Show workers the main identification features and the distinctive call where appropriate.
  • Explain the no feeding, no chasing and no unauthorised handling rules.
  • Provide a site map showing approved work areas, exclusion areas, access routes and emergency contacts.
  • Require all observations, strikes, near misses and stop work events to be reported before the end of the shift.
  • Confirm who can authorise recommencement after a stop work event.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Use staged clearing and active supervision

Use a controlled, staged approach to clearing and construction. The fauna spotter catcher and site supervisor must be able to stop work immediately when an unexpected animal, flock, collision risk or possible breeding place is identified.

Clear only the approved footprint and work progressively. Start with low risk areas and retain escape routes to open airspace where practical.

Maintain an authorised fauna spotter catcher during activities that may injure wildlife or create a new collision hazard. Keep the supervisor and spotter catcher in direct contact.

Likely site use: Fork-tailed Swifts may fly anywhere over the project area while foraging or passing through

Behaviour: The species is highly mobile and may follow low pressure systems

Ground contact: It rarely comes to land, but individual birds may occasionally land

  • Inspect the work area before each shift and after major weather changes.
  • Pause work if a large flock begins using the work area, if birds are flying repeatedly through a structure envelope or if visibility deteriorates substantially.
  • Keep cranes, booms, cables and temporary structures as visible as practicable during installation.
  • Do not use aircraft, drones, vehicles or people to chase or disperse birds.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Apply the stop work procedure

The fauna spotter catcher or supervisor must stop the relevant activity when a collision, injury, unexpected landing, suspected active breeding place or substantial flock movement is observed.

Keep people and machinery clear while the ecologist assesses the situation. Restart only after the authorised person records the decision and confirms the controls.

Expected Australian breeding: The species does not breed in Australia, so a suspected active breeding place requires immediate verification

Possible overseas breeding places: Mountain cliffs, rock crevices and island rock caves are used outside Australia

Flock response: Large flocks may be associated with insect concentrations and low pressure systems

  • Stop work for any bird strike, near miss involving a tall structure, or bird trapped within a structure or enclosed area.
  • Establish a temporary exclusion area around an injured or grounded bird. Keep noise, vehicles and workers away.
  • If a suspected active breeding place, colony or roost is found, stop work and obtain advice from the project ecologist and the relevant wildlife authority before proceeding.
  • Do not disturb, remove, block or tamper with a suspected breeding place or roost.
  • Record the reason for the stop, time, location, weather, species, number of birds and the decision made.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Respond to grounded or injured birds

Treat a grounded swift as injured or exhausted until assessed by an authorised wildlife handler. Do not release it simply because it can move or flutter.

Keep handling brief and quiet. Use the project wildlife rescue procedure and contact the nominated veterinarian or wildlife carer.

Handling authority: Capture, transport and treatment must follow the relevant state or territory authority and permit conditions

Potential causes: Collision, poor visibility, exhaustion and contact with temporary or permanent structures are relevant incident pathways

Release decision: A wildlife carer or veterinarian should decide when and where release is appropriate

  • Ask untrained workers to keep back and prevent dogs or other hazards from approaching.
  • Do not feed, water or medicate the bird unless directed by the authorised carer or veterinarian.
  • Use a suitable ventilated container only if the authorised handler directs capture and transport.
  • Record the location, time, apparent cause, photographs if safe, handler, destination and outcome.
  • Report any collision with a building, turbine, power line, crane, cable or other structure to the project manager and ecologist.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Keep construction records

Maintain a daily fauna and collision log. Record both positive observations and periods when no birds were detected, because detection varies with weather and migration conditions.

Useful observation fields: Number, estimated height, flight direction, behaviour, flock size, weather and structure interaction

Reporting value: Repeated observations can identify collision hotspots and periods requiring additional controls

  • Record survey and supervision dates, observers, work areas, weather and visibility.
  • Record every flock, individual, grounded bird, injury, strike, near miss, stop work event and recommencement approval.
  • Record structure type, height or relevant dimensions, lighting state and the exact location for any collision or near miss.
  • Escalate repeated strikes, large flock movements or unexpected roosting to the project ecologist for a control review.
  • Keep records with the environmental management documentation and approval reporting records.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Complete post clearance checks

Close out each work area with a fauna check and review the controls against what was actually observed. Migratory birds may continue to use the airspace after ground works are complete, particularly during the Austral summer.

Inspect the completed work area, temporary structures and access routes for grounded birds, carcasses, trapped animals, damaged exclusion controls and unapproved disturbance.

Undertake checks after construction activities that introduce tall structures, overhead lines, cranes, lighting or enclosed spaces.

Post work risk: Collision risk can continue after construction when permanent structures remain in the flight path

Search focus: Structure bases, cables, lighting, enclosed areas and locations where workers report bird activity

  • Check around the base and immediate vicinity of structures for collision victims where safe.
  • Inspect temporary cables, mesh, open pits and enclosed spaces for trapped wildlife.
  • Remove temporary hazards when no longer required.
  • Keep any carcass or evidence of collision only as directed by the ecologist or relevant authority, and record its location before removal.
  • Do not disturb a live animal while conducting a check. Call the authorised handler.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Report and review incidents

Report incidents in accordance with approval conditions, the environmental management plan and wildlife authority requirements. A single strike may require a design or lighting review if it identifies an avoidable hazard.

Review all records with the project ecologist before closing the work package.

Review trigger: Repeated strikes, a large flock using the site or an unexpected concentration of birds should trigger a control review

Survey continuation: Continue observations through the relevant migration period where the project has a tall or collision prone structure

  • Compare the number and location of observations, strikes and near misses with the predicted collision risk.
  • Review weather and migration conditions for each incident.
  • Identify whether lighting, cables, crane operation, work timing or poor visibility contributed.
  • Increase observations or controls when repeated incidents occur.
  • Notify the EPBC Act regulator or state authority where required by an approval, permit or incident condition.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Manage relocated or rescued animals

Keep a record for every animal handled or transferred from the project. The authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian should determine treatment and release arrangements.

Do not release a swift into an unsafe work zone, beneath a new structure or during conditions that may have caused the animal to become grounded.

Normal movement: Fork-tailed Swifts are aerial and mobile, so relocation should be exceptional and led by an authorised wildlife professional

Roosting behaviour: The species probably roosts on the wing, but individual birds may land

  • Record the animal condition, identification, capture location, time, handler, container, transport, treatment, release decision and final outcome.
  • Release only under the direction of the authorised carer and in accordance with permit conditions.
  • Check the release area for traffic, cables, active machinery, predators and other immediate hazards.
  • Report deaths, failed releases and repeat grounding events to the project ecologist.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Confirm completion and handover

At handover, provide the operations team with the species profile, collision controls, lighting requirements, incident contacts and ongoing monitoring commitments.

Retain the fauna log, survey data, photographs, approvals, permit records and incident reviews with the project environmental records.

Handover focus: Permanent structures, lighting, overhead lines and collision response arrangements

Ongoing risk period: Austral summer and migration periods, especially September to April

  • Map permanent structures and any areas requiring ongoing observation.
  • Confirm that temporary exclusion fencing, cables and lighting controls have been removed or transferred to the operations plan.
  • Brief the operations team on reporting of strikes, grounded birds and unusual flock activity.
  • Set review dates for the first periods of high bird activity and for any operational change that alters lighting or structure use.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore the ground layer and landscape

Rehabilitation should restore the landscape and maintain safe airspace rather than create terrestrial breeding habitat. Fork-tailed Swifts feed and move in the air, and there is no expected Australian breeding or maternity roost requirement to replace.

Reinstate disturbed ground with locally appropriate native vegetation and stable landforms. Restore open plains, woodland edges, heathland, marshland, farmland interfaces and coastal or inland dune settings where these habitats were disturbed.

Use the approved rehabilitation plan and local ecological benchmarks. Avoid creating dense obstructions beneath known flight paths where they would increase collision risk or reduce safe access to open airspace.

Foraging use: The species catches insects in flight above a wide range of open and wooded habitats

Rehabilitation need: No species specific terrestrial rehabilitation requirement is identified for the Fork-tailed Swift

Flight behaviour: The species may fly from near ground level to hundreds of metres above ground

  • Remove construction waste, redundant cables, mesh and other aerial hazards.
  • Use local native species suited to the site and climate.
  • Control erosion and protect waterways and wet areas during establishment.
  • Maintain open, safe access to rehabilitated areas and adjoining airspace.
  • Do not claim that terrestrial planting replaces the species' aerial foraging habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Do not install unsuitable breeding structures

Do not install nest boxes, bat boxes, artificial nest sites or terrestrial roost structures for Fork-tailed Swifts as a routine mitigation measure. These structures do not replace the species' known overseas cliff, crevice and rock cave breeding sites, and the species does not breed in Australia.

Only consider an artificial structure if a qualified ornithologist and the relevant authority identify a documented species specific need. Obtain approval before installation.

Known nest locations: Outside Australia, nests are associated with caves, natural rock crevices, vertical rock faces, sea cliffs and some building eaves

Breeding in Australia: The species is a non breeding visitor to Australia

Nest boxes: No routine nest box or bat box measure is appropriate for this species

  • Do not repurpose bat boxes or hollow dependent bird boxes for this species.
  • Do not create artificial caves, ledges or nest platforms without evidence that the design is suitable and legally required.
  • If an unexpected active breeding place is suspected, stop work and seek specialist and authority advice rather than installing a substitute structure.
  • Record the basis for any approved artificial structure in the rehabilitation plan.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Manage weeds, insects and water

Control weeds using methods that protect native vegetation, waterways and flying insects. The species feeds on insects, including bees, wasps, termites, moths and flies.

Maintain natural water regimes and wetland functions where they are part of the approved rehabilitation design. Avoid creating conditions that attract large insect concentrations directly beside collision hazards.

Diet: Flying insects, including bees, wasps, termites, moths and flies

Foraging conditions: Feeding activity may increase near updraughts and the edges of low pressure systems

  • Use integrated weed management and avoid broad scale insecticide use where it is not required.
  • Prevent sediment, hydrocarbons and other pollutants from entering water or wetland areas.
  • Retain native woodland edges, open areas and coastal or inland habitat mosaics where they support aerial insect activity.
  • Record weed treatments, chemical use, water management and rehabilitation outcomes.
  • Seek ecological advice before applying pesticides near areas used by feeding flocks.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Control lighting and aerial hazards

Carry collision controls into the operational phase. Rehabilitation will not offset a continuing hazard from poorly designed lighting, overhead lines, cables, turbines, cranes or other tall structures.

Use the approved lighting and structure management design, and review it if birds repeatedly fly through the structure envelope.

Known collision hazards: Tall buildings, wind turbines and overhead power lines can kill migrating birds

High risk conditions: Poor visibility and night flight can increase collision risk

  • Shield lights and direct them downward where safe and practicable.
  • Avoid unnecessary upward light spill and minimise lighting during migration periods where operationally possible.
  • Keep permanent cables visible and marked in accordance with the collision risk assessment.
  • Remove temporary aerial hazards as soon as work is complete.
  • Review structure lighting before major maintenance, expansions or changes to operating hours.

Rehabilitation actions: 5. Monitor rehabilitation and ongoing use

Monitor rehabilitated areas and permanent structures during the first Austral summer and during later periods of major construction or operational change. The monitoring design should match the assessed collision and habitat risks.

Use results to refine lighting, structure marking, weed control and work procedures.

Monitoring limitation: Short surveys may miss this transitory species

Monitoring focus: Airspace use, flock movements, collision events, lighting and structure interactions

  • Record Fork-tailed Swift observations, flock size, flight height, direction, behaviour and weather.
  • Search safely for collision evidence around permanent structures and record search effort.
  • Compare results across September to April and across different weather conditions.
  • Review the monitoring program if birds are repeatedly observed, grounded or struck.
  • Close monitoring only when the project ecologist and approval conditions support that decision.

Sources