🐦

Malagasy Palm Swift

Cypsiurus gracilis

Least Concern
Envergure
24,8 cm
Poids
12,0 g
Famille
Apodidae
Ordre
Caprimulgiformes

À propos

A slender swift (15-16 cm) endemic to Madagascar. Dark brown plumage with a deeply forked tail. Closely related to African Palm Swift. Aerial insectivore, foraging over open country, towns, and along forest edges. Associated with Ravenala and other palms for nesting.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Envergure 24,8 cm 9.8 in
Poids 12,0 g 0.42 oz

Identification

Plumage

Slender; pale grey-brown overall; underparts slightly paler; long deeply forked tail; Malagasy endemic; very similar to African Palm Swift in uniform pale brown coloration but slightly smaller and confined to Madagascar and Comoros.

Habitat & Range

Répartition géographique

Found in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. Resident in open areas with palms and forest edge across Madagascar.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate aerial forager catching small flies, aphids, winged termites, and airborne spiders on the wing.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Comportement et reproduction

Nidification

Nest type: SA. Incubation: 20 days. Fledging: 29-35 days.

Taille de la couvée

1-3

Son

Chant

Sharp, emphatic chip followed by buzzy rattle; staccato delivery with rising inflection at end of each phrase sequence.

Taxonomie

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

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Malagasy Palm Swift eat?
Obligate aerial forager catching small flies, aphids, winged termites, and airborne spiders on the wing.
Where does the Malagasy Palm Swift live?
Found in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. Resident in open areas with palms and forest edge across Madagascar.
Is the Malagasy Palm Swift endangered?
The Malagasy Palm Swift has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Malagasy Palm Swift nest?
Nest type: SA. Incubation: 20 days. Fledging: 29-35 days.
What does the Malagasy Palm Swift sound like?
Sharp, emphatic chip followed by buzzy rattle; staccato delivery with rising inflection at end of each phrase sequence.
How big is the Malagasy Palm Swift?
The Malagasy Palm Swift has a wingspan of 24.8 cm, weight of 12.0 g.
What order and family does the Malagasy Palm Swift belong to?
The Malagasy Palm Swift (Cypsiurus gracilis) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Apodidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Apodidae family

Comparer

Explore More

Explore the Nature FYI Family