Black Swift

Cypseloides nigerOrder: APODIFORMES Family: Swifts (Apodidae)

Codes: Common Name: BLSW Scientific Name: CYPNIG ITIS Taxonomic No.: 177997

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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.

Black Swift

Black Swift: Large, bulky swift, black overall. Wrist (wing angle) is very close to body. Long, slightly forked tail, often fanned out. It is the largest North American swift. Spends most of its time thousands of feet in the air. It flies on stiff, shallow wingbeats. Soars on thermals and updrafts.

● Song: "ci-chi-chi-chit"

● Foraging & Feeding: Black Swift: Feeds on flying insects such as caddisflies, mayflies, beetles, flesh flies, and wasps.

● Breeding & nesting: Black Swift: One white egg is laid in a moss, grass, and algae nest, well hidden under a waterfall, on a protected sea cliff ledge, or on a canyon wall. Incubation ranges from 24 to 27 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Black Swift: Chimney and Vaux's swifts have paler throats and breasts and very short, blunt tails. White-throated Swift has white throat and flank patches.

Flight Pattern

Stiff, shallow wing beats.

● Range & Habitat: Black Swift: Breeds from southern Alaska south to southern California, Montana, and Colorado. Spends winters in the tropics. Preferred habitats include mountains and coastal cliffs.

^BreedingMonogamous, Colonial

^PopulationYes but uncommon

^MigrationMigratory

^Weight1.6 Ounces

4 and 6 letter alpha codes

The four letter common name alpha code is is derived from the first two letters of the common first name and the first two letters of common last name. The six letter species name alpha code is derived from the first three letters of the scientific name (genus) and the first three letters of the scientific name (species). See (1) below for the rules used to create the codes..

Four-letter (for English common names) and six-letter (for scientific names) species alpha codes were developed by Pyle and DeSante (2003, North American Bird-Bander 28:64-79) to reflect A.O.U. taxonomy and nomenclature (A.O.U. 1998) as modified by Supplements 42 (Auk 117:847-858, 2000) and 43 (Auk 119:897-906, 2002). The list has been updated by Pyle and DeSante to reflect changes reported by the A.O.U from 2003 through 2006.

Field Guide to Birds of North America

Black Swift

Black Swift

Flight Pattern