Grey-rumped Swift vs Chestnut-collared Swift
Chaetura cinereiventris compared with Streptoprocne rutila
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Grey-rumped Swift | Chestnut-collared Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chaetura cinereiventris | Streptoprocne rutila |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 20.9 cm (8.2 in) | 26.0 cm (10.2 in) |
| Weight | 16.15 g (0.57 oz) | 21.8 g (0.77 oz) |
| Diet | Obligate aerial forager catching small flies, aphids, winged termites, and airborne spiders on the wing. | Entirely airborne feeder on tiny flies, gnats, and airborne arachnids; one of the most aerial … |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Grey-rumped Swift
Soft, rippling trill with gentle buzzy overtones; light aerial call carrying a faint liquid quality on calm mornings.
Chestnut-collared Swift
High, screaming trill; rapid 'scree-scree' in flight; shrill and penetrating; calls over Neotropical mountains and canyon edges; alarm a rapid screeching chatter
Geographic Range & Migration
Grey-rumped Swift
Found from Nicaragua south through Central America and northwestern South America to Bolivia and Brazil. Resident in lowland forest and edge.
Chestnut-collared Swift
Found from Mexico and the Caribbean south through Central America and South America to Argentina. Resident in highlands near mountain cliffs.
Conservation Status
Grey-rumped Swift
Chestnut-collared Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Grey-rumped Swift
Small; dark blackish-brown upperparts; pale grey rump contrasting with dark back; underparts dark grey-brown; short spiny tail; Neotropical species with the grey rump as key field mark; widespread from Caribbean …
Chestnut-collared Swift
Dark blackish-brown body with diagnostic rich chestnut collar encircling entire neck; collar bold and complete; underparts slightly paler brown; small swift with striking warm-toned neck band contrasting vividly with dark …
About These Birds
Grey-rumped Swift
A medium-sized swift (11-12 cm) found in humid forests from Central America to southern Brazil. Dark grey plumage with a contrasting pale grey rump band. Short, spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest canopy. Nests behind waterfalls and in caves.
Chestnut-collared Swift
A small swift (13-14 cm) found from Mexico through Central America and South America to Bolivia and Brazil. Dark plumage with a distinctive chestnut collar and throat. Aerial insectivore, often foraging in mixed-species swift flocks over forests and highlands.