White-throated Swift

The White-throated Swift is a swift of the family Apodidae native to western North America, south to cordilleran western Honduras. It is migratory, and travels to the southern part of its range in winter, as far north along the Pacific coast as the Californian Central Valley; inland its range extends throughout the Great Basin region to extreme southern British Columbia.

The White-throated Swift is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

in bluffs and canyons and cliffs, the White-throated Swift has proven to be extremely adaptable and now will seek out crevices in bridge trusses, highway overpasses, buildings, quarries and other manifestations of human activity. Despite this adaptability the species has shown a significant long-term decline across its U.S. and Canadian breeding range. Identification This swift is the only one in North America with a black-and-white pattern. More

White-throated SwiftAeronautes saxatalis Order APODIFORMES – Family APODIDAE Issue No. 526 Authors: Ryan, Thomas P., and Charles T. Collins * Articles * Multimedia * References Courtesy Preview This Introductory article that you are viewing is a courtesy preview of the full life history account of this species. The remaining articles (Distribution, Habitat, Behavior, etc. More

The White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) is a swift of the family Apodidae native to western North America, south to cordilleran western Honduras. It is migratory, and travels to the southern part of its range in winter, as far north along the Pacific coast as the Californian Central Valley; inland its range extends throughout the Great Basin region to extreme southern British Columbia. Reaching a length of 16.5 cm (6.5 inches), with a wingspan of 35. More

White-throated Swift - Aeronautes saxatalis * White-throated Swift Global Rank: G5 State Rank: S5B Agency Status USFWS: none USFS: none BLM: none FWP Conservation Tier: 3 PIF: none Listen to an Audio Sample Copyright by Borror Laboratory of Bioacoustics, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and More

The White-throated Swift is a small swift found throughout western North America and southward to western Honduras. During the winter months, this bird will migrate to southern portions of its normal range. They may be found as far north in the winter along the Pacific coast as the Californian Central Valley. Inland populations extend through the Great Basin and extreme southern British Columbia. Nests are built high in the trees, as this bird is usually in flight versus on the ground. More

White-throated Swift - Aeronautes saxatalisThe White-throated Swift is a species of the western U.S., generally found around canyons and cliffs where they breed. In recent decades, they have also begun to utilize highway overpasses and crevices in buildings for nesting. However, they may be found in almost any habitat in the West, as birds forage many miles away from their nesting location. They have been called the fastest of all flying North American birds, reaching speeds that may be in excess of 200 miles per hour. More

White-throated Swift Range MapView dynamic map of eBird sightings Field MarksHelp - * AdultPopOutZoom In Adult * © Herbert Clarke / CLO * AdultPopOutZoom In Adult * © Brian E. More

Like all swifts, White-throated Swifts use their short legs only for clinging onto vertical surfaces or wires, and never land on the ground voluntarily. References - 1. ^ BirdLife International (2008). Aeronautes saxatalis. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2008. Retrieved on 24 February 2009. More

White-Throated SwiftWhite-throated Swifts winter in El Charco, arriving in November, departing in April; some stay on, possibly breeding here. They are the swiftest of all swifts, darting, swooping and turning faster than the eye can register. In the evening, they come to roost in the cracks and crevices of El Charco’s canyon wall, a fortress made for them. Before bedtime, they play chase. More

Where to Find: White-throated Swifts are common in the mountains around Las Vegas during summer, and some might say in the area during winter. Look for them up on Mt. Charleston. Comments: White-throated Swifts nest in cracks and cavities in rocky cliffs. White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) White-throated Swifts have white on the flanks and can be mistaken for Violet-green Swallows. White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) White-throated Swift; note the long, pointed wing. More

The White-throated Swift is one of the frequent fliers of the bird world; only incubation and rest keep this bird out of the air. White-throated Swifts feed, drink, bathe and even mate while flying. During their lifespan, it is likely that many of these birds travel more than a million miles; their body form is one of the most highly evolved for flight. More

(prime White-throated Swift and Prairie Falcon habitat) More

North American RangeThe White-throated Swift is a large, slender swift with long wings and a narrow tail, usually held closed into a point. It is mostly black, with white at the trailing edge of the secondaries, on the sides of the rump, and on the throat, narrowing towards the belly. More

Aspects of the topic white-throated swift are discussed in the following places at Britannica. Assorted References * distribution (in swift (bird)) ...The white-rumped swift (Apus caffer), soft-tailed and black with white markings, is resident throughout Africa south of the Sahara. More

The White-throated Swift has long, narrow, stiff wings; their black and white pattern distinguishes this species from other North American swifts. Habitat The White-throated Swift roosts and nests in the crevices of cliff faces. It forages over all desert habitats in open sky. Life History Swifts spend most of their time in the air, foraging for flying insects. More

Like all swifts, White-throated Swifts use their short legs only for clinging onto vertical surfaces or wires, and never land on the ground voluntarily. More

1 White-throated Swift: Aeronautes saxatilis (Woodhouse) Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae Status Global Rank: G5 Provincial Rank: S3S4 Provincial Listing: Blue list Distinguishing Features A large western swift with long wings, and decidedly forked tail (without spine-like projections). Upper parts brownish-black or sooty-brown, white line over eye. More

White-throated Swift is widespread in mountain areas across the western United States, associated with cliffs and high rock formations. It has been raised to Watch List status by PIF because of long-term population declines; trends in New Mexico are uncertain. More

The White-throated Swift may be distinguished from any of the swallows by its crossbow-like outline of body and wings, the latter notably slender, its black plumage sharply relieved by white on throat and middle of breast (pl. 46g) and on sides of rump, and by its more reckless manner of flight. Its shrill twittering notes, of insistent quality, are also different from those of swallows. More

Further notes on the white-throated swifts of Slover Mountain. Condor 19:3-8. Harrison, C. 1978. A field guide to the nests, eggs and nestlings of north American birds. W. Collins Sons and Co., Cleveland, OH. 416pp. Lack, D. 1956. A review of the genera and nesting habits of swifts. Auk 73:1-32. McCaskie, G., P. De Benedictis, R. Erickson, and J. Morlan. 1979. More