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Fork-tailed Palm Swift

Tachornis squamata

Least Concern
Envergure
20,7 cm
Poids
10,4 g
Famille
Apodidae
Ordre
Caprimulgiformes

À propos

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
Envergure 20,7 cm 8.1 in
Poids 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

Répartition géographique

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.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Comportement et reproduction

Nidification

Nest type: PN. Incubation: 19-21 days.

Taille de la couvée

2-4

Son

Chant

Loud, penetrating scream cutting above all noise; strident series of shrill descending notes, powerful for the bird's size.

Taxonomie

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

Distribution

Fork-tailed Palm Swift has been recorded in 4 countries.

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Présent Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Fork-tailed Palm Swift eat?
Obligate aerial insectivore; takes small flies, beetles, and aerial spiders in swooping fast-flight passes.
Where does the Fork-tailed Palm Swift live?
Found in the Amazon basin from Venezuela and the Guianas south to Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. Resident near Mauritia palm swamps.
Is the Fork-tailed Palm Swift endangered?
The Fork-tailed Palm Swift has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Fork-tailed Palm Swift nest?
Nest type: PN. Incubation: 19-21 days.
What does the Fork-tailed Palm Swift sound like?
Loud, penetrating scream cutting above all noise; strident series of shrill descending notes, powerful for the bird's size.
How big is the Fork-tailed Palm Swift?
The Fork-tailed Palm Swift has a wingspan of 20.7 cm, weight of 10.4 g.
What order and family does the Fork-tailed Palm Swift belong to?
The Fork-tailed Palm Swift (Tachornis squamata) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Apodidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Apodidae family

Comparer

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