Swift ID - Ohio, United States (1 Viewer)

[SwiftsAndSwallows]

I've been having trouble identifying the type of swift I spotted at a park yesterday (June 16). There were about six of them in a bird house next to the parking lot. They were brown/grey and white, which made me think they were chimney swifts, but their bellies were white and their entire heads were brown (similarly to Alpine Swifts). They didn't fly like swallows, but I've still been looking through pictures and sound recordings of swallows as well as swifts with no luck. Their calls were really interesting - I have a video but I can't figure out how to attach it. I'll try to get it added soon If anyone has any idea what they could be, please let me know!

 

[SwiftsAndSwallows]

I figured it out!! Here's the video:

 

[THE_FERN]

Despite the fact it's not purple, this is surely a purple martin (female)

 

[Butty]

Purple martin at its house 🙂

 

[SwiftsAndSwallows]

Oh, wow. I didn't know they could be so lightly colored, but you guys are definitely right. Thanks so much!

 

[lockbreeze926]

That is a Purple Martin nesting colony in the video. They often consist of a mass of gourds, for a reason I know not.