Swifts

Birds of North America

Apodidae

Lives, Habitats & Pictures of the Swifts

There are four types of swifts found in North America. The Chimney Swift is the most common among them, seen throughout all of the eastern states of the USA and into the south-eastern regions of Canada. The White-throated Swift, Vaux's Swift and the Black Swift are all native birds to the western USA and up into southern British Columbia, Canada.
Swifts are the fastest flying passerines in North America, where sometimes they are all but impossible to see because of their speed. Their bodies are built in the same manner as a torpedo, made to slice through the air with the least resistance. Swifts are recognized by their silhouette, scimitar shaped wings and narrow tail feathers.

Click on the bird names listed below to see pictures of the Swifts of North America

Chimney Swift