White-throated Swift

Aeronautes saxatalis

Description:

The White-throated Swift is primarily black and white. Its back and wings are blackish-brown or black, and its breast, belly, chin, and throat are white. A medium size bird that runs 6-7 inches long.

Voice:

A shrill, excited jejejejejeje in descending scale.

Food:

White-throated Swifts eat exclusively flying insects.

Nest:

Nests are usually found in a narrow vertical crevice in a high cliff. Sometimes nests in crevices in buildings. Same site may be used for many years. Nest is shaped like shallow half saucer; made of feathers, weeds, grasses, glued together and to wall of crevice with the birds' saliva. They will produce 3-6 white eggs.

Habitat:

They can be found in open sky, cruising widely. May be seen in the air over virtually any western habitat, wherever there might be flying insects. Breeds mainly in dry mountains and canyons.

Range:

White-throated Swifts are found in interior valleys from British Columbia through the Rocky Mountains and the southwest including California.

Migration:

In our area the White-throated Swift is a year-round resident, but seldom seen in winter when temperatures drop.

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