The Black Swift is the largest swift in North America and one of the most mysterious — it nests almost exclusively behind waterfalls and on wet cliff faces in the mountains. Its nesting sites were so difficult to find that the first nest was not discovered until 1901. It is all black with a shallowly forked tail and breeds along the Pacific Coast and in the Rockies.
Best time to see a Black Swift
The best time to see a Black Swift is June–July, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 365 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Black Swift? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Black Swift sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Black Swift?
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