Chapman's Swift
Chaetura chapmani
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<birdfyi-bird slug="chaetura-chapmani"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small swift (12-13 cm) found in forests from Central America through northern South America to Trinidad. Dark plumage with a grey rump. Spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore. Difficult to distinguish from other Chaetura swifts in the field. Poorly studied.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 24.6 cm | 9.7 in |
| Weight | 23.416666666666668 g | 0.83 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Small; dark sooty-brown overall; rump slightly paler grey-brown than back; underparts dark brown; short spiny tail; Amazonian species intermediate in plumage between Chimney Swift and Band-rumped Swift; relatively poorly differentiated rump.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in Trinidad and Tobago and northern South America from Colombia and Venezuela south to northeastern Brazil. Resident in lowland forest.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate aerial forager; feeds entirely on the wing on small flying insects, midges, and airborne spiders.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: HC. Incubation: 17-18 days.
Clutch Size
2-3
Sound
Song
Quick, bubbling series of soft chips; pleasant liquid twittering with slightly buzzy edges, delivered during aerial display.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Chaetura |
| Species | Chaetura chapmani |
Distribution
Chapman's Swift has been recorded in 4 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Chapman's Swift eat?
Where does the Chapman's Swift live?
Is the Chapman's Swift endangered?
How does the Chapman's Swift nest?
What does the Chapman's Swift sound like?
How big is the Chapman's Swift?
What order and family does the Chapman's Swift belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family