Chestnut-collared Swift (Streptoprocne rutila)

Identification & Behavior: ~13 cm (5.1 in). The male Chestnut-collared Swift is dusky with chestnut on the neck,  throat,  and upper breast. The female generally lacks the chestnut on the throat and breast. The juvenile is all dusky without a chestnut collar.  The tail is slightly notched, but often difficult to differentiate in the field. It is smaller, more slender, not as dark, and more common than White-chinned Swift and White-chested Swift. It is larger than Chaetura swifts.

Status: The Chestnut-collared Swift is generally uncommon on the east slope of the Andes, but may be common in the general area where roosting and breeding sites are available. On the east slope, it is known to range from the foothill of the Andes up to 3500 m. It also occurs in the humid forest of Piura and Cajamarca on the west slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 1900-3000 m. The Chestnut-collared Swift also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Vencejo de Cuello Castaño.

Sub-species: Chestnut-collared Swift (Streptoprocne rutila brunnitorques), Lafresnaye, 1844.

Meaning of Name: Streptoprocne: Gr. Streptos= collar, neck-chain and prokne= who was metamorphosed into a swallow. rutila: L. rutilus= golden, red, auburn.

See more of the Family Apodidae