A 10 Month Flying Bird!

High above the bustling village of Al-Bayda, where rolling hills met the golden desert, the sky came alive each evening with the flight of the Ababeel, or common swift. These birds, revered for their grace and speed, were part of the soul of the village. They could soar for months without touching the ground, legends said, embodying freedom and endurance.

Among the villagers, a young boy named Yusef found the Ababeel fascinating. With large, bright eyes and a heart full of curiosity, he would lie on the cool rooftop of his family's clay house, watching them dance across the sky at sunset. His grandfather, old and wise, would join him, telling stories passed down through generations. One story stood out: it was said that the Ababeel once saved the village from a great threat.

“Long ago, before your father’s father was born,” his grandfather began, “an invading force sought to conquer Al-Bayda. They came with weapons and warriors, their eyes set on plundering our peaceful home. The people were terrified, for they had no army to defend themselves.”

“But,” Yusef would interrupt, eyes wide, “what happened, Grandfather?”

“The Ababeel,” his grandfather said, voice hushed with reverence, “swooped down from the heavens. Each bird carried a tiny pebble in its claws, and together, they launched a storm. The invaders fled, bewildered and defeated by a force they could not understand. Since then, the Ababeel has been our protector, a symbol of hope and divine intervention.”

Yusef loved this story, and as the years passed, he dreamed of seeing the Ababeel up close. He spent his days learning their calls and the patterns of their flight. While other children played games in the village square, Yusef watched and listened, sketching the birds in the sand.

One evening, as the sky painted itself with hues of orange and purple, Yusef heard a sharp cry. He looked up to see an Ababeel spiraling down, its flight unsteady. Rushing to where it landed, he found the bird tangled in a net left by hunters. The tiny creature flapped frantically, eyes dark and frightened.

“Shh, it’s alright,” Yusef whispered, his hands working delicately to free it. The bird’s wings were thin and fragile, but its heart beat with strength. After a few moments, the Ababeel was free, its sharp wings cutting through the air as it took off, leaving Yusef breathless with awe.

The next morning, the village awoke to a sight unseen for years: hundreds of Ababeel circled the sky, their cries filling the dawn. Yusef’s grandfather, with a knowing smile, laid a hand on his grandson’s shoulder. “You’ve earned their trust,” he said.

That day, the villagers came together, marveling at the return of their protectors. They took it as a sign of renewal and hope, a reminder of the harmony between nature and humanity. Yusef’s tale of kindness spread throughout the village, inspiring others to respect and cherish the world around them.

From that day forward, the Ababeel flew over Al-Bayda with more vigor, as if repaying the boy who had shown compassion to one of their own. And Yusef, now known as the boy with the heart of the swift, carried their story in his heart, a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness could summon the mightiest of protectors.

QUALITIES OF COMMON SWIFT

The common swift, known as *Apus apus* and sometimes referred to as the Ababeel in certain cultures, holds an extraordinary flying record in the avian world. These birds are renowned for their almost continuous flight and incredible endurance. Scientific studies have shown that common swifts can stay airborne for remarkable lengths of time—sometimes up to 10 months without landing.

# How They Achieve Long Flights

Swifts have evolved various adaptations that enable them to sustain such long periods in the air. Their long, crescent-shaped wings and streamlined bodies are built for gliding and high-speed flight, allowing them to conserve energy while covering vast distances. Their diet of airborne insects and their ability to drink raindrops mid-flight support their prolonged time in the sky.

Swifts even sleep while flying by using a state called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep. This means that one hemisphere of their brain rests while the other remains alert enough to navigate and stay aloft.

#Migration and Travel Patterns

Common swifts are migratory birds, spending summers in Europe and parts of Asia and winters in Africa. They cover thousands of miles during migration, which contributes to their impressive records for long-term flight. Some tracking studies have revealed that these birds can fly an estimated distance of up to 500,000 miles during their lifetime—equivalent to traveling to the moon and back.

#The Record-Breaking Flight

One of the most significant discoveries came when researchers fitted swifts with lightweight tracking devices. These studies confirmed that they could remain airborne for up to 10 months, setting a record for non-stop flight among all bird species. Swifts only land for breeding and nesting purposes, where they create nests in crevices of buildings, cliffs, or tall trees.

#Cultural Significance

The common swift holds symbolic value in various cultures due to its remarkable resilience and ability to soar. In regions where they are called Ababeel, these birds are often associated with tales of divine protection and strength, adding an element of myth to their already impressive biology.

Overall, the common swift’s ability to fly almost continuously for such long durations without landing is a testament to its unique adaptations and the incredible capacity of nature to evolve creatures capable of extraordinary feats.