Chimney SwiftChaetura pelagicaThe "flying cigar" with a blunt head, squared-off tail, and long, sickle-shaped wings. Body is dark gray with a slightly paler throat. Flies all day long with ridiculously fast, snappy wingbeats. Nests and roosts in chimneys. Often seen in small groups, twittering and cruising around town in search of insects. The only swift in the eastern U.S.Apodidae bird family
Order Apodiformes · 3 selected species
Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.
Chimney SwiftChaetura pelagicaThe "flying cigar" with a blunt head, squared-off tail, and long, sickle-shaped wings. Body is dark gray with a slightly paler throat. Flies all day long with ridiculously fast, snappy wingbeats. Nests and roosts in chimneys. Often seen in small groups, twittering and cruising around town in search of insects. The only swift in the eastern U.S.Chimney SwiftChaetura pelagicaThe "flying cigar" with a blunt head, squared-off tail, and long, sickle-shaped wings. Body is dark gray with a slightly paler throat. Flies all day long with ridiculously fast, snappy wingbeats. Nests and roosts in chimneys. Often seen in small groups, twittering and cruising around town in search of insects. The only swift in the eastern U.S.
White-throated SwiftAeronautes saxatalisThe only swift in U.S. and Canada that is not all-dark; white throat, breast, and patches on sides of rump are unique. Longer tail than Vaux's Swift. Narrower wings and different flight style than swallows. Found most commonly around rocky cliffs in deserts; ventures more extensively during nonbreeding season. Listen for its descending series of harsh, screeching notes.