Cape Verde Is, where occurs throughout (except Santa Luzia), including small islet of Raso, but thought to breed only on Santiago, Fogo, Brava, Santo Antío and Sío Nicolau.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Cape Verde Swift (Apus alexandri) [XC718738]
by Nicolas Martinez from Praia, Praia, Cape Verde (song)
Cape Verde Swift (Apus alexandri) [XC712090]
by id from Cidade Velha, Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Cape Verde (flight call)
Subspecies
Affinities unclear. Formerly considered conspecific with Plain Swift (Apus unicolor), but recently suggested to be more closely related to Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus), African Swift (Apus barbatus) or Nyanza Swift (Apus niansae), although these proposals appear to be based mainly on speculation.