Black Swift Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBlack Swift
Adult/immature
A large and entirely dark swift with long sickle-shaped wings.
© Michael Bolte / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 06, 2017Adult
Nests on cliffs or behind waterfalls. Close-up views show the white spots in front of the eye.
© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay LibraryColorado, July 28, 2014Adult
Builds a cup nest out of moss and mud on cliff ledges in dark an inaccessible places.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryColorado, July 04, 2011Not all videos have sound
Adult/immature
A large swift with long, pointed wings and a relatively long square-tipped tail that sometimes shows a slight notch.
© Roger Beardmore / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, June 04, 2018Adult/immature
An entirely dark swift with small white spots on the head that can sometimes be seen on flying birds. Forages for flying insects high in the sky, but descends on cloudy days.
© Zak Pohlen / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, July 02, 2020Adult/immature
When gliding the wings often look broad and less sickle-shaped, but note length of wings and fairly long squared off tail. Flies with slower and less fluttery wingbeats than the smaller swifts.
© David De Rivera Tønnessen / Macaulay LibraryColorado, June 09, 2018Nest
Nests on cliffs and behind waterfalls.
© Tony Leukering / Macaulay LibraryMontana, September 10, 2016Similar SpeciesVaux's Swift
Adult
Vaux's Swift are smaller than Black Swifts with a paler throat.
© Jerry Ting / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 10, 2014Similar SpeciesWhite-throated Swift
Adult
White-throated Swifts have a large white patch on the throat that Black Swifts lack. They also have a longer and thinner tail than Black Swifts.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 25, 2017Similar SpeciesPurple Martin
Adult male
Purple Martins are about the same size as a Black Swift, but they have a more strongly forked tail, broader wings, and a bigger, longer head that sticks out more from the front edge of the wings.
© Andrew Dreelin / Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, June 15, 2017Similar SpeciesNorthern Rough-winged Swallow
Adult
Northern Rough-winged Swallows are smaller than Black Swifts with broader, less sickle-shaped wings. Northern Rough-winged Swallows also have pale bellies unlike Black Swifts which are entirely black.
© Kyle Lima / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 11, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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