Strange Bird in my backyard

[Leslie]

I just saw this within the half-hour.
I heard it before I saw it.  It was very vocal, a high pitched chittering.  However, the sound was musical, so the chittering wasn't so high-pitched as to sound screechy or scratchy.
Something flew overhead--dark, long wings bent & pointed, fairly far to its front, bird was small.  Silent.
Sound started up again from the direction in which the bird went (& stopped in the "woods" at the back), so I associate the one that flew overhead with the chittering.
Sorry I can't do better than this.

[GStuart]

Could it have been an American Kestrel?

Voice -->  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/SOUN ... S/133A.mp3

[worth]

I always associate "chittering" with chimney swift. It would be a dark bird with long (relative to body) wings. This time of the year would be early for them but who knows with this past warm weather.

[GStuart]

Chimney Swift voice --> http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/SOUN ... S/330A.mp3

[Leslie]

Thanks for these links.
I'm leaning to the swift--the kestrel's a little squeakier (ie higher pitched) than the sound I heard.
Leslie