Vaux's Swift

Vaux's Swift builds a cup nest of twigs and saliva on a vertical surface in a dark cavity, such as a tree hole, cliff crevice or attic. It lays three white eggs between March and July. It breeds in the mountains and foothills, mainly above 700 m, and forages over forests and more open areas, including towns.

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

Vaux's Swift, adult; Oregon Fig. 1. Breeding range and year-round range of Vaux’s Swift. Vaux’s Swift, a slightly smaller counterpart of the eastern North American Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica), breeds from southwestern Canada through the western United States to Mexico, Central America, and northern Venezuela. In winter, northern migrant populations of this species overlap southern residents. More

The Vaux's Swift, Chaetura vauxi, breeds in highlands from southern Alaska to central California and from southern Mexico, the northern Yucatán Peninsula, to eastern Panama and northern Venezuela. The United States' populations are migratory, wintering from central Mexico south through the Central American breeding range. The resident breeding birds in the southern part of the range are sometimes considered a separate species, Dusky-backed Swift, Chaetura richmondi. More

The Vaux's Swift has a large range, estimated globally at 2,200,000 square kilometers. Native to North and Central America, this bird prefers subtropical or tropical forest ecosystems as well as degraded former forests. The global population of this bird is estimated at 1,500,000 individuals and does not show signs of decline that would necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. For this reason, the current evaluation status of the Vaux's Swift is Least Concern. More

Vaux's Swift: Three to six white eggs are laid in a nest made of small sticks cemented together with saliva and attached to the inside surface of a hollow tree. Incubation ranges from 18 to 20 days and is carried out by both parents. Foraging and Feeding Vaux's Swift: Eats insects and spiders; forages in flight. Vocalization Vaux's Swift: Song is a bat-like chipping. Similar Species Vaux's Swift: Black-and-white-throated Swift has forked tail. More

A bird of the Pacific Northwest, Vaux's Swift spends almost all of daylight hours in the air foraging for insects. It is very similar to the Chimney Swift, a common species of the eastern United States, in appearance and habits. More

North American RangeThe Vaux's Swift is a small swift with a short tail. This swift is usually seen only in flight and is often described as a cigar with wings. It is brownish-gray overall, with a lighter rump and breast. The Vaux's Swift's wings are long and narrow, and its flight is rapid. The tail is squared off at the end, not notched like that of the Black Swift. The name is English, not French, and the 'x' is sounded. More

Brewery hosted 600 Vaux's Swifts on May 12 and 13. Southbound observations were negative. Data and poetry provided by Larry Eickstaedt. Photos and poetry soon at vauxshappenng.org Tenino, WA: Downtown auto repair facility historic site does not seem to be currently used. Observations by Whittier Johnson and others Centralia, WA: Downtown train station area. Four observations in May produced a total of 2,039 Vaux's/chimney interactions as reported by Dave Hayden and Lori Salzer. More

(central to east coast) or Vaux's Swift (Pacific coast) go to roost in your area. This year, on one night over the weekend of August 6, 7, 8, and / or September 10, 11, 12 observe the roost starting about 30 minutes before dusk and estimate the number of swifts that enter. When you have your number, When you have your number, email us at DWA@austin.rr.com . More

Vaux's Swift feeds in flight on flying insects, including beetles, wasps, termites and flying ants. This species was named for the American scientist William Sansom Vaux. More

Current distribution of Vaux's Swift and old-growth redwood in northwestern California. Old-growth redwood distribution based on Fox (1989). Open circles=no swifts detected on murrelet transect; Filled circles=swifts detected on murrelet transect; Filled squares=probable swift breeding site based on Shuford (1993). More

* Vaux's Swifts at Chapman Elementary School, Portland, Oregon1:43 * Ajouter à la file d'attente Ajoutée à la file d'attente Vaux's Swifts at Chapman Elementary School, Por... More