ML619476420

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

One lowly Chaetura swift seen gliding around interspersed with rapid sets of flapping, not entirely un-Vaux-like but also not as chaotic and "fluttery" as the typical Vaux. Size of bird seemed on the hefty size for Vaux, but there were no other swifts around for comparison. Similarly, seemed extra dark, but it was roughly sunset and overcast. My initial impression of the bird was "probably Vaux". Due to the late date and singleness of the bird, I took photos to try and assess wing shape. In still photos, wings seem slender and relatively long in most (but not all) angles. The trailing edge of the wing shows a very small bulge in the inner primaries in a couple of photos, but is overall quite straight. I don't think color can be assessed accurately on these photos, but the final photo in this report seems to show a rump that isn't obviously pale. I didn't observe an obviously contrasting throat to the rest of the underparts, but was focused on flight style and get getting photos. Bird was silent during observation. Overall, I'm betting this is a Vaux, but it's a little suspicious

Technical information

Model

ILCE-7RM4A

Lens

FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

ISO

4000

Focal length

277 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/1250 sec

Dimensions

788 pixels x 526 pixels

Original file size

287.3 KB