Algarve Swift June 2024 (1 Viewer)

[ndsutcliffe]

Going over old photos - took this in June last year on the west coast of the Algarve. I've got it down as a Common Swift, but am slightly intrigued by the apparent lack of a pale throat patch. Research suggests considering Plain Swift - they occasionally, but rarely, pop up on the mainland so I thought I'd post for comments.

 

[Thijsdekruif]

Interesting and neat picture for such a fast bird. Definitely not a usual Common swift. No clue if it is an aberrant Common swift or another species (with plain most likely, but an extreme vagrant should not be excluded).

 

[njlarsen]

Any other photos of this one?

 

[ndsutcliffe]

Any other photos of this one?

Sorry no

 

[Bubbs]

Looks very much like a Plain Swift.

Plain Swift discovered breeding in mainland Portugal

Paulo Belo outlines a remarkable range expansion for a species thought previously confined to Macaronesia as a breeder.

www.birdguides.com

 

[Bubbs]

Going over old photos - took this in June last year on the west coast of the Algarve. I've got it down as a Common Swift, but am slightly intrigued by the apparent lack of a pale throat patch. Research suggests considering Plain Swift - they occasionally, but rarely, pop up on the mainland so I thought I'd post for comments.

Possibly not as rare as people think these days 👍

 

[ndsutcliffe]

Looks very much like a Plain Swift.

Plain Swift discovered breeding in mainland Portugal

Paulo Belo outlines a remarkable range expansion for a species thought previously confined to Macaronesia as a breeder.

www.birdguides.com

Interesting post, thanks.

 

[Phil Andrews]

If that was on the Canaries I wouldn't hesitate it ticking it as a Plain

 

[vilhelm.fagerstrom]

The bird is certainly not a Plain Swift. E.g. body structure/proportions, large triangular head, large bill and well defined throat patch exclude that species. But I find it less straight forward to say if it's Pallid or Common. Scaly pattern on the body doesn't appear obvious and the throat patch doesn't look very large nor strong. But Pallid can look that way under certain light conditions, and the median coverts appear quite Pallid like in the photo. And maybe the same is true for body structure(?)

 

[kuzeycem]

Looks like a worn Pallid Swift to me. Definitely not a Plain.

 

[ndsutcliffe]

Thanks for the comments all. With two very firm opinions against, and Occam's razor also against I will just leave it as Swift!

 

[vilhelm.fagerstrom]

Yes Plain Swift can be confidently excluded for this bird. But very good that these birds are properly scrutinized when in doubt! I would not at all be surprised if Plain Swifts are breeding somewhere in the Algarve. They can obviously go unnoticed for a long time, even though we now know that they are on the mainland as well. Only last week I noticed Plain Swifts entering into openings in a building in Cascais, just 200 m from a well monitored colony. I had noticed suspicious activity at the "new" site before, but despite efforts I had not seen birds entering anywhere until last Tuesday.

 

[ndsutcliffe]

Yes Plain Swift can be confidently excluded for this bird. But very good that these birds are properly scrutinized when in doubt! I would not at all be surprised if Plain Swifts are breeding somewhere in the Algarve. They can obviously go unnoticed for a long time, even though we now know that they are on the mainland as well. Only last week I noticed Plain Swifts entering into openings in a building in Cascais, just 200 m from a well monitored colony. I had noticed suspicious activity at the "new" site before, but despite efforts I had not seen birds entering anywhere until last Tuesday.

These discussions are always useful. I am now much more aware of what to look for so will keep an eye out for Plain Swifts from now on. I agree that it is highly likely that they are present in southern Portugal - it is closer to their normal area than other confirmed locations in Portugal, such as Cascais and Porto, so it is reasonable to assume that they are around.