Bird Description

Common over forest, towns, and just about anywhere with food. A high flyer, in rainy or cold windy weather flies lower, often over water hawking for insects. Hurls around the sky, short glides before flapping like a bat out of hell. Nests in chimneys or similar structures. Usually in small loose groups. After breeding, they gather at dusk in large numbers before descending down a chosen roost site. Never perch other than to cling to walls, having to drop before flying off. ID: Bullet-shaped with wings angled back. At times, appear almost headless compared with long broad rear end. Frequently soars with wings and tail spread. Spikes at tip of tail tough to see. Usually appears black. Better views show it palest on throat, darkest on wings, between rump and belly, with a dark line through the eye. Juv: white tips to secondaries, just about impossible to see in the field.