ML618133181

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Chaetura Swift flying with a flock of VGSW and quite low at times. Stiff winged flight with quick beats when it was not gliding. Proportions appear correct for Vaux's over Chimney with relatively shorter tail, close to being uniformly more pale underneath, and photo shows paler rump. Jeff S. was able to see 2 swifts this evening. I only noticed one at the time, although photos potentially show different individuals with a slight variation in paleness of the rump. Also I quickly focused on getting photos for documentation so tracked the individual in camera. Color of rump appears consistent with color of throat, upper breast and being darker than wings back. The out of focus image shows a clearly lighter rump than rest of upper body. April sighting may also point in favor of VASW over CHSW which seem to appear more often in May for spring migrants. Apparent county first and northernmost record for New Mexico (eBird).

Technical information

Model

NIKON D850

Lens

500.0 mm f/5.6

ISO

560

Focal length

500 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/7.1

Shutter speed

1/2500 sec

Dimensions

1313 pixels x 875 pixels

Original file size

831.72 KB