American Black Swift

Cypseloides niger

Vulnerable · IUCN Red List

VUVulnerableInvertebratesForestCup nestSmall · 40 g

ID tip

In flight, these birds resemble flying cigars with long slender curved wings. The plumage is mostly a sooty, dark gray. There is some contrast between the inner and outer portions of the wing. The shoulders are distinctly darker in color than other parts of the wing. They have short tails that are slightly forked.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the American Black Swift

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 5 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is June, the month with the most records.

Where to see the American Black Swift

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 24 countries with regular records, and 9 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Recorded as a rare visitor in Colombia, Bermuda, South Africa, Aruba, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, St. Barthélemy, St. Martin.

About the American Black Swift

The American black swift, or more simply black swift, is a species of bird that is found from northern British Columbia in Canada through the United States and Mexico to Costa Rica and Brazil. They are also found in the Caribbean.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Side by side: American Black Swift vs Great Dusky Swift

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