pallid or common swift, herefordshire (1 Viewer)

[Espen]

today I saw a swift at brockhall GPs (while trying for the pec sand for a second time!:cat:, but no luck there) it seemed very early for a swift which is what drew my attention, so, I gave it a good look and took some pics...

seemed to have a nice clean, well defined throat patch which would fit pallid, also, on the pictures it seems quite brown (also good for pallid), it does, however have pointy wings and a very long tail which wouldn't fit pallid, i'm sure it's just an early common which I have payed too much attention too, but please could someone put me out of my misery...:t:

 

[Espen]

...

 

[Jane Turner]

Using my newly acquired Pallid v Common Swift features (bill shape and head shape) it comes up as Common.

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2312873&postcount=169

 

[Ronayne88]

Hi Espen,

From these shots it appears as to be a Common Swift, for me. Finely pointed wings, a long deeply forked tail, and a rather subtle throat patch. I'm sure it would not be safe to judge colour from photographs.

All the best,

Seán.

 

[degu]

Common Swift for me too.

 

[Mike Montier]

I have been watching Pallid swifts for much of today and for me this is Common. Wings very pointed, head shape, tail and throat patch all good for common. Sorry!

 

[Mike Montier]

Just as an aside, I have been watching flocks of Common swift in the company of many visiting birders and many were identified as Pallid on colour. They were all common! Colour, especially in strong sunlight, is for me not reliable. The best ID features have been summarised by the excellent observations of Jane Turner (see link above). Thank you Jane for your input, ID is now much easier than previously and this as made a big difference to accurate identification of this formerly difficult species.

 

[Ronayne88]

I'd like to see that one being applied in the field

 

[Jane Turner]

I'm waiting for an opportunity to test it, but the head width can't be any harder to see than the hip width which you can see.

http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=360843&d=1323944256

 

[Mike Montier]

I guess I did sound a bit smug, but here I have the luxury of being able to observe Pallid swift at their nesting sites on the coast and can see them from above, coming straight towards me, entering and leaving the caves, for as long as I want and in excellent light, rather than seeing a fly-over which is, of course, much more difficult.

 

[Liquid Len]

... it seemed very early for a swift ...

Definitely Common - and not too early at all; first birds appearing in South Yorkshire this morning!

LL