Southern Swift
Chaetura meridionalis
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About
A small swift (11-12 cm) found in southeastern South America from Brazil to Argentina. Dark grey-brown plumage. Spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore. A long-distance austral migrant, breeding in southern Brazil and migrating north to Amazonia in the austral winter.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 26.3 cm | 10.4 in |
| Weight | 19.8 g | 0.70 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Small; dark sooty-brown overall; pale grey rump band moderately contrasting with dark back; underparts dark grey-brown; short spiny tail; southern South American migratory species; closely resembles Ashy-tailed Swift but rump less pale.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in southern South America from Brazil to Argentina. Migratory, moving north to Amazonia during the austral winter. Open areas and forest.
Diet & Feeding
Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or in vegetation.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CV,HC. Fledging: 35 days.
Clutch Size
3-5
Sound
Song
Faint, thin squealing trill; rapid metallic chips cascading high-pitched over coastal forest, almost ventriloquial in quality.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Chaetura |
| Species | Chaetura meridionalis |
Distribution
Southern Swift has been recorded in 3 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Southern Swift eat?
Where does the Southern Swift live?
Is the Southern Swift endangered?
How does the Southern Swift nest?
What does the Southern Swift sound like?
How big is the Southern Swift?
What order and family does the Southern Swift belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family