Willis,

In Michigan, Cliff Swallows are one of the earlier swallows to depart,
mostly by mid-September, but we do have rare records into November. So Cliff
and Cave Swallows should not often be a problem ID in November. But several
field guides show quite well that the majority of Cave Swallows have pale
rufous or buffy throats while Cliff Swallows have deep chestnut or blackish
throats depending on the age of the bird. So, Cliff Swallows should show
dark throats and Cave Swallows pale throats. But, Tree Swallow is
potenitally possible to confuse with Cave Swallow in brief or poor views, as
they are white below but similar in shape to both Cliff and Cave Swallows.
Look for the bright buffy or rufous rump.

Allen T. Chartier
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Inkster, Michigan, USA
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Willis Brubaker" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008 2:42 PM
Subject: [Ohio-birds] November Swallow ID help needed


> Hello all of you. As Su Snyder already posted we had four swallows
> migrating
> south-west at Secrest in Wooster this morning. The birds, in the ten
> seconds
> we were on them, Seemed to be fairly small, mostly pale on the breast
> ,with
> square tails, fast wingbeats, with a twisting flight  habit.
> These birds provide a problem for me as I would like to say they were Cave
> Swallows just for listing sake. But rational thinking has brought me to
> the
> opion that I will never know what species these swallows were. Anyway who
> ever heard of cave swallows inland like this, they are all up at lake
> erie?
> So they must be late cliff swallows? As it was the birds never paused in
> straight line flight straight over head ( I was hoping one would bank
> around
> for a veiw of the top side it was not to be.) This is what makes birding
> fun
> for me something you don't see every day providing a challenging view !
>    So here is my question; What do you look for on late fall swallows that
> separates Cliff from Cave? Is it possible to ID swallows if all you have
> is
> shape to go by?
>
> Keep looking up Willis B  Woooster
>
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