A small, dark “cigar with wings,” this is the common swift of the eastern half of North America. Its original nest sites (hollow trees, cliffs) have largely been substituted with human-built structures such as chimneys or building shafts, so it is especially common in urban areas. Monotypic. Length 5.3".
Small, dark; squared, spine-tipped tail; narrow-based wings often appear markedly pinched at the base during secondary molt in late summer, early fall. Adult: brownish black overall; paler chin, throat; slightly paler rump. Plumage can appear browner with wear or appear blacker from contact with chimney soot. Juvenile: nearly identical to adult, but with whitish tips to the outer webs of the secondaries, tertials. Flight: usually rapid, fairly shallow wingbeats, including quick turns,
