- Cypseloides cryptus
Identification
With 15 cm (6 in) a medium sized Swift.
- Blackish plumage
- Pale grey areas on chin (not white as name suggests)
- Relatively short and square tail
- Generally a squat appearance
Similar Species
Very similar to White-fronted Swift, Rothschild's Swift and Sooty Swift.
Distribution
Patchily distributed in South America and Central America. Populations known in Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Also in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Belize.
Definitely known only from a few sites and rather uncommon everywhere. However this species is not regarded as globally threatened.
Taxonomy
Forms a superspecies with White-fronted Swift and is also considered by some authorities to be conspecific with it. Others think that this species may be conspecific with Rothschild's Swift and Sooty Swift.
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Montane evergreen forest, also tropical lowland evergreen forest. Likes gorges and waterfalls to roost and for nesting.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects (eg flying ants), taken in flight. Not so gregarious like other Swift species, but often seen in flocks with other Swifts.
Breeding
Nesting recorded from May to June. Builds a half cup with moss and liverworts, hold together with mud, usually close to water. Lays one egg.
Movements
Resident species, no wandering recorded.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) White-chinned Swift. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-chinned_Swift
