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A powerful-looking swift with long saber-shaped wings and a bullet-shaped body.
Vulnerable
At a glance
FamilySwifts
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatOpen sky above wetlands, paddocks, towns, rivers, and edges with active aerial insect movement.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from December to February.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Uku Paal
Range map
Range map
3152visible hotspots
47062visible records
4states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
The only swift in its range that combines a clean white throat and smooth pale gray back. At close range, the fine white forehead and bluish tinge to the back are also visible. Flies higher than most other swifts during migration, often circling over mountaintops and valleys with kettles of migrating birds of prey. Less erratic and bat-like in flight than other swifts.
Behavior
Call is a high-pitched, screaming twitter.
Gallery