The Salim Ali's swift (Apus salimalii), is a species of small swift, superficially similar to the common 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. These swifts build their nests on cliffs, laying 2 or 3 eggs. A swift will return to the same site year after year, rebuilding its nest when necessary. It was previously mis-categorized as an alternative name for Apus pacificus kanoi.