Fork-tailed Swift

Apus pacificus

Also known as:White-rumped Swift, Pacific Swift

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Identification

20 cm (8") Accidental. Asian visitor to outer Aleutians and Pribilofs.

Large dark swift with a white throat and forked tail.

In flight; shows conspicuous white rump

The similar Common Swift, another stray from Asia, lacks the white rump.

Was called White-rumped Swift.

Details in the field

2 photos

Credit: K.C. Hung

Credit: K.C. Hung

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 13 criteria confidence 1

What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Pointed or wedge-shaped · Forked · Unknown
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?: Yes · 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 ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · 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 ?: Northwestern Canada or United States

result:282-fork-tailed-swift:1:1 Source: 282 Fork-tailed Swift, row 1