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Field Guide for all the Birds of North America

Swifts

Martinets

Apodidae

Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities

There are four types of swifts found in North America. The Chimney Swift is the most common among them and is seen throughout the eastern states of the USA and into the southeastern 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.

The swifts are the fastest flying passerines in North America and sometimes they are all but impossible to see because of their speed. Their bodies are built in the same manner as a torpedo which helps them slice through the air with the least resistance. The swifts are recognized by their silhouette, which shows scimitar-shaped wings and narrow tail feathers.

Click on the bird images or names to see pictures of Swifts

Antillean Palm Swift

Black Swift

Chimney Swift

Common Swift

Fork-tailed Swift

Vaux's Swift

White-collared Swift

White-throated Swift

White-throated Needletail

References to Other Bird Sites:

Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.

ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.

I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.

Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB