Andean Swift (Aeronautes andecolus)

Identification & Behavior: ~12 cm (4.7 in). The Andean Swift has gray-brown upperparts with a white collar and a white rump band. The underparts are white with dusky on the flanks and lower belly. The underparts of birds on the east slope of Southeast Peru are mostly white. The tail is forked. It forages over a variety of xeric habitat types on the west slope of the Andes. It superficially resembles a Blue-and-White Swallow but is distinguished by a slender appearance, a patterned plumage, and faster and more direct flight.

Status: The Andean Swift is uncommon on the west slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 2000-4000 m. It also occurs locally on the east slope of the Andes in Southeast Peru.  The Andean Swift also occurs in Bo and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Vencejo Andino.

Sub-species: Andean Swift (Aeronautes andecolus parvulus) (Berlepsch and Stolzmann), 1892. W slope of Andes of Peru (S from Cajamarca) to extreme N Chile (Tarapacá).
(Aeronautes andecolus peruvianus), (Chapman), 1919. E slope in SE Peru.

Meaning of Name: Aeronautes: Gr. aēr, aeros= air and nautēs= sailor. andecolus:  L. Andes= Andean mountain chain and col,  colere= dweller, to dwell.

See more of the Family Apodidae