This dark, mid-sized swift has a powerful, direct flight and can be seen over many habitats in Madagascar, including towns and cities.
It is dark overall, with contrasting pale panels near the bases of the wings. It flies powerfully and directly, and is larger than many regional swifts but smaller than an Alpine Swift.
It flies over many habitats, including towns and cities, and may gather in flocks of dozens or hundreds.
It sometimes gathers in mixed flocks with Alpine Swifts.
Around Antananarivo and Ranomafana in November 2017, birds were also observed flying unusually low and calling.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.