Black Swift

Cypseloides niger

Explore this bird

Identification

18 cm (7") Uncommon. Western United States and Canada. Mountain country, coastal cliffs, open sky.

Black overall. Long tail is slightly forked and often fanned in flight.

Nests in cliffs, protected ledges such as beneath waterfalls.

Details in the field

2 photos

Credit: Bryant

Credit: Jamie Chavez

Watch and learn

2 videos

BLACK SWIFT

Credit: Bryant O

BLACK SWIFT

Credit: Bryant O

Where it lives

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 1 rule

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

1 rule

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 3

What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Unknown
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?: No · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Sparrow-sized · Robin-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Swallow-like
WHEN was the bird seen ?: Spring · Summer · Fall
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States · Northwestern Canada or United States

result:279-black-swift:1:1 Source: 279 Black Swift, row 1