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Southern Swift

Chaetura meridionalis

Least Concern
Envergure
26,3 cm
Poids
19,8 g
Famille
Apodidae
Ordre
Caprimulgiformes
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À propos

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
Envergure 26,3 cm 10.4 in
Poids 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

Répartition géographique

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.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Comportement et reproduction

Nidification

Nest type: CV,HC. Fledging: 35 days.

Taille de la couvée

3-5

Son

Chant

Faint, thin squealing trill; rapid metallic chips cascading high-pitched over coastal forest, almost ventriloquial in quality.

Taxonomie

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordre Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts)
Famille Apodidae (Swifts)
Genus Chaetura
Espèces Chaetura meridionalis

Distribution

Southern Swift has been recorded in 3 countries.

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Présent Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Southern Swift eat?
Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or in vegetation.
Where does the Southern Swift live?
Found in southern South America from Brazil to Argentina. Migratory, moving north to Amazonia during the austral winter. Open areas and forest.
Is the Southern Swift endangered?
The Southern Swift has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Southern Swift nest?
Nest type: CV,HC. Fledging: 35 days.
What does the Southern Swift sound like?
Faint, thin squealing trill; rapid metallic chips cascading high-pitched over coastal forest, almost ventriloquial in quality.
How big is the Southern Swift?
The Southern Swift has a wingspan of 26.3 cm, weight of 19.8 g.
What order and family does the Southern Swift belong to?
The Southern Swift (Chaetura meridionalis) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Apodidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Apodidae family

Comparer

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