Yes those (a white rump and a forked tail) are the obvious id differences
and surely diagnostic. It is not always clear though. If the tail is kept closed it looks long and pointed, rather than forked. The 2 are a different shape with the FtS much slimmer than the WtN. The WtN with a round or fan shaped tail and pale back and white
undertail, sometimes when twisting this can get confused for a white rump.
From: John Brannan [
Sent: Sunday, 27 January, 2019 3:27 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Swifts
A flock of c.40-50 flew over my place in Florey at about 1.30 this afternoon.
Every one I got the bins onto had a white rump and a forked tail, so I’m assuming they were all Fork-tailed.
John Brannan
On 27 Jan 2019, at 12:42 pm, Con Boekel <> wrote:
Around 20 Swifts, of which around 18 were Fork-tailed, over Turner between 12.15 and 12.40. Heading south.
regards
Con
On 1/27/2019 12:06 PM, Philip Veerman wrote:
Would be interesting to know how widespread that is. There are four (or more) Fork-tailed Swifts over my house now.
Philip
From: Nicki Taws
Sent: Sunday, 27 January, 2019 11:26 AM
To: 'COG List'
Subject: [canberrabirds] Swifts
This morning 100+ Swifts of both species swirling low over the paddocks at Jerrabomberra Wetlands, just north of the carpark.
Cheers
Nicki Taws
0408 210736
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