Scarce Swift
Schoutedenapus myoptilus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="schoutedenapus-myoptilus"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized swift (17-18 cm) found in montane forests of eastern Africa, from Ethiopia to Malawi and Mozambique. Dark sooty-brown plumage. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest canopy at 1,000-3,000 m elevation. Uncommon and poorly known.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 25.9 cm | 10.2 in |
| Weight | 26.916666666666668 g | 0.95 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Dark sooty-brown overall; underparts paler grey-brown; pale grey-buff chin; moderately forked tail; African montane swift of the Albertine Rift; name reflects rarity in field; plumage uniformly dark with minimal pale markings.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in montane East Africa from Uganda and Kenya south to Malawi and Mozambique. Resident in mountain forests above 1,500 m. Scarce.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate aerial insectivore; gathers small flying insects, winged ants, and airborne spiders during flight.
Conservation Status
Sound
Song
High, sharp twittering; thin 'tsee-tsee' calls over African montane forest; rarely documented; calls from small flocks over mountain ridges; higher-pitched than larger African swifts
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Schoutedenapus |
| Species | Schoutedenapus myoptilus |
Distribution
Scarce Swift has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Scarce Swift eat?
Where does the Scarce Swift live?
Is the Scarce Swift endangered?
What does the Scarce Swift sound like?
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family