White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernInvertebratesForestCup nestMedium · 87 g

What the White-collared Swift sounds like

Sonogram of the White-collared Swift: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call, chase call · Pichincha: La Buena Esperanza, Tumbaco, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Sonogram of the White-collared Swift: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Pichincha: La Buena Esperanza, Tumbaco, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Sonogram of the White-collared Swift: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call, chase call · Zamora-Chinchipe: Reserva Tapichalaca, near Q. Cristopher Parson, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

ID tip

The white-collared swift is the largest species of swift in its range except in northwestern Mexico, where it and the slightly larger white-naped swift (S. semicollaris) are sympatric. The white-collared swift is 20 to 21.5 cm (7.9 to 8.5 in) long and weighs 90 to 125 g (3.2 to 4.4 oz). It has a wingspan of 45 to 55 cm (18 to 22 in). It has a very slightly forked tail and the sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a white collar that circles the neck and is broadest on the breast.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the White-collared Swift

One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is March, the month with the most records.

Where to see the White-collared Swift

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 28 countries with regular records, and 4 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 United States, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Cayman Islands.

About the White-collared Swift

The white-collared swift is a species of bird in the subfamily Cypseloidinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Mexico, Central America, the Greater and Lesser Antilles, Trinidad, and every mainland South American country.

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

Easily confused with

Side by side: Chestnut-collared Swift vs White-collared Swift

Learn the White-collared Swift in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.