Common summer resident of Eastern North America. Adult is swallow-like, with cigar-shaped body, thinner wings, and quicker wingbeats than swallows; plumage is sooty-brown overall without black or white markings. Slightly larger than the nearly identical Vaux's Swift of Western U.S.; virtually indistinguishable by plumage, but note range and voice.

Length: 13 (cm) Wingspan: 36 (cm)

Voice:

Chattering calls with loud chip notes.

Habitat:

Cities, suburbs, especially near chimneys; open areas, woodlands.

Behavior:

Unlike swallows, cannot perch, but instead hangs vertically inside chimneys and snags. Flies constantly, usually high overhead, often making twittering calls; acrobatic, glides in circles, flies with fast wingbeats, and quickly rocks side-to-side as it changes direction. Nests inside chimneys or hollow standing trees, gluing half saucer-shaped nest to vertical surface with saliva. During migration, large groups may be seen swirling down roosting chimneys at dusk.

Feeding:

Catches flying insects in midair.