The Black Swift is the largest swift species in North America. They are a somewhat enigmatic species, given their rather unique habitat preferences. While Black Swifts can forage in nearly any habitat that has flying insects available for prey, their breeding preferences in North America are quite distinct. Nesting occurs in protected crevices in rock faces and cliffs, and protected areas such as wet, rocky cliff faces behind waterfalls are a preferred nesting site. Given the scarcity of such habitat, the breeding range of the species is scattered and local.
Habitat:
During the breeding season, Black Swifts are found using rocky ledges or rocky crevices for nesting. Locations are often along the coastline, or in protected areas behind waterfalls.
Diet:
The Black Swift is a specialized aerial insectivore that forages at high altitudes, often thousands of feet in the air, to capture flying insects such as winged ants, beetles, and flies..
Behavior:
Only feeds while in flight, using it's large mouth opening to grab insects from mid-air.
Nesting:
The nest of a Black Swift is a small relatively flat cup of mud, mosses, and ferns, placed on a protected rocky ledge or crevice. The female lays a single egg, with both parents helping to incubate it. Upon hatching, both parents help to feed the young, with the young leaving the nest after about 45 days.
Interactive eBird Map:
Click to access an interactive eBird map of Black Swift sightings
Song:
Series of chattering chip notes, typically slowing in pace towards the end.
Migration:
Considered a permanent resident in parts of their range, such as in parts of the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. However, birds in the United States and Canada are migratory.
Similar Species:
In range, most likely to be confused with the White-throated Swift.
Conservation Status:
The Black Swift is has undergone severe population declines in parts of its range, including a staggering population decline of more than 90% since the 1970s in some parts of North America. They are at high risk of extinction because its unique nesting sites—typically behind waterfalls—are exceptionally threatened by climate change and decreasing glacial melt. The IUCN lists the Black Swift as a species that is "Vulnerable".
Photo Information:
Photo taken by Terry Gray - July 24th, 2011 - Shoshone County, Idaho - Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License
