White-throated Swift © Herbert Clarke

Swallow-like Birds

Description 6-7" (15-18 cm). The size of a Barn Swallow, but with the typical stiff, fast wingbeats of a swift. Striking piebald appearance in the air; seen from below, wings, flanks, and tail black, the rest white.

Habitat Arid mountains or other rocky areas.

Nesting 3-6 white eggs in a nest of feathers glued together with saliva built in a cleft of a sea or mountain cliff. Nests in colonies.

Range Breeds from British Columbia through Rocky Mountains and in Southwest, including California. Winters from central California and Southwest to Central America.

Voice A prolonged series of grating notes, jee-jee-jee-jee-jee.

Discussion These common swifts are often seen in the vicinity of steep cliffs, where they may fly in small groups, chattering constantly. Like some other swifts, they mate in flight, gyrating earthward in a free fall, separating only when about to hit the ground.