General

White-throated Swift: Medium-sized swift, mostly brown-black except for white throat, white patches on belly and flanks, and white edges on wings. Face is pale gray and has dark eye patch. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

White-throated Swift: Breeds from southern British Columbia through the Rocky Mountains and throughout the southwest, from California to New Mexico. Spends winters from central California and the southwestern states to Central America. Arid mountains and other rocky areas are its preferred habitats.

Breeding and Nesting

White-throated Swift: Three to six white eggs are laid in a nest made of feathers glued together with saliva, and built in a cleft of a cliff. Incubation ranges from 19 to 21 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

White-throated Swift: Feeds on flying insects; forages in flight.

Vocalization

White-throated Swift: Call is a prolonged series of grating notes "jee-jee-jee-jee-jee."

Similar Species

White-throated Swift: Chimney Swift is larger, with longer wings, darker rump and throat, and different call.