The Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba) syn. (Apus melba) is a small bird, superficially similar to a large Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution, reflecting similar life styles. Alpine Swifts breed in mountains from southern Europe to the Himalaya.