Antillean Palm Swift
Tachornis phoenicobia
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<birdfyi-bird slug="tachornis-phoenicobia"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small swift (10-11 cm) endemic to the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola). Dark plumage with a white rump. Long, deeply forked tail. Aerial insectivore, closely associated with royal palms (Roystonea), nesting inside hanging dead palm fronds.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 20.4 cm | 8.0 in |
| Weight | 10.0 g | 0.35 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Tiny; dark brown-black upperparts; white rump contrasting with dark back; underparts white with dark breast band; dark brown flanks and sides; deeply forked tail; Caribbean endemic with striking white rump and breast-band pattern.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Resident in open areas near palms; nests inside hanging palm fronds in the Caribbean.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds aerially on tiny insects and spiders, often following weather fronts where aerial plankton concentrates.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CP.
Clutch Size
2-5
Sound
Song
Rapid, thin twittering with intermittent pauses; light chips strung loosely forming an airy, barely structured vocalisation.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Tachornis |
| Species | Tachornis phoenicobia |
Distribution
Antillean Palm Swift has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Antillean Palm Swift eat?
Where does the Antillean Palm Swift live?
Is the Antillean Palm Swift endangered?
How does the Antillean Palm Swift nest?
What does the Antillean Palm Swift sound like?
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What order and family does the Antillean Palm Swift belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family