Fork-tailed Palm Swift
Tachornis squamata
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<birdfyi-bird slug="tachornis-squamata"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small swift (12-13 cm) found in open country and palm savannas from Central America to southern Brazil and Trinidad. Dark plumage. Long, deeply forked tail. Aerial insectivore, closely associated with various palm species, nesting inside hanging dead palm fronds.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 20.7 cm | 8.1 in |
| Weight | 10.4 g | 0.37 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Tiny; dark brown-black upperparts; white rump patch; underparts whitish with dark flanks; deeply forked tail; Amazonian species closely resembling Antillean Palm Swift; nests in Mauritia palm fronds; white rump and forked tail diagnostic.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in the Amazon basin from Venezuela and the Guianas south to Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. Resident near Mauritia palm swamps.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate aerial insectivore; takes small flies, beetles, and aerial spiders in swooping fast-flight passes.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: PN. Incubation: 19-21 days.
Clutch Size
2-4
Sound
Song
Loud, penetrating scream cutting above all noise; strident series of shrill descending notes, powerful for the bird's size.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Tachornis |
| Species | Tachornis squamata |
Distribution
Fork-tailed Palm Swift has been recorded in 4 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Fork-tailed Palm Swift eat?
Where does the Fork-tailed Palm Swift live?
Is the Fork-tailed Palm Swift endangered?
How does the Fork-tailed Palm Swift nest?
What does the Fork-tailed Palm Swift sound like?
How big is the Fork-tailed Palm Swift?
What order and family does the Fork-tailed Palm Swift belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family