Bird Guide

White-throated Swift vs White-tipped Swift

White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)

White-throated Swift

Aeronautes saxatalis

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The white-throated swift is medium-sized bird that is primarily black and white. Its back and wings are blackish-brown or black, and its breast, belly, chin, and throat are white. In newly molted adults, the dark feathers may have a slight greenish sheen, though this is rarely observable in the field. Sexes cannot be distinguished by plumage. Juvenile (first basic) plumage is similar to adult (definitive basic) plumage, but with the feathers on juveniles' heads and necks appearing duller and paler. Voice: White-throated swifts make vocalizations while in the air that are described as "staccato chattering", and may also make a sharp one- or two-note call or a shrill drawn-out "scree" call. In the morning and evening, "twittering" sounds may be made at their roost sites. Additionally, juveniles may make begging sounds that are higher-pitched versions of the adult's shrill scree call.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Michael Woodruff from Spokane, Washington, USA · CC BY 2.0
White-tipped Swift (Aeronautes montivagus)

White-tipped Swift

Aeronautes montivagus

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The white-tipped swift is 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long and weighs 17 to 33 g (0.60 to 1.2 oz). It has slim pointed wings and a long slightly notched tail. Adult males of the nominate subspecies are blackish brown on the crown and around the eye; most of the rest of the face is gray brown. Their upperparts are the same blackish brown as the crown. Their tail is black-brown with wide white tips to the feathers. Their wings are blackish brown with white edges on some feathers. Their throat, sides of the neck, and the upper breast are white. Voice: The white-tipped swift's flight calls has been described in many ways including a "distinctive, rachetlike, buzzing call, j-j-j-j-j-j 'j'j'j'j'J'J'J'J'j'j'j'j'j'j-j-j-j" and "a ringing, grating chatter: bzz-zz'zzz'zzz'zeee'tur'tur".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the White-tipped Swift
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call, interaction call · Imbabura: 13 km N Salinas, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dan Vickers · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: White-throated Swift and White-tipped Swift.