Alternative name: Congo Swift
- Schoutedenapus schoutedeni
Identification
Very similar to Scarce Swift and very difficult to identify in the field.
- Deeply forked, long tail, probably shorter than Scarce Swift
- Black-brown plumage, including throat
- Bulbous head
- Wings tapering sharply from secondaries
Distribution
Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Only known from five specimens collected in Kamituga, Bionga, Butokolo and Mubandakika. One of several scarce species in the Itombwe forest. Not recorded since 1959!
A restricted-range species. Although the presumed habitat is still in good condition, loss of (unknown!) habitat may be a great threat, therefore classified as vulnerable.
Taxonomy
Also considered to be a subspecies of Scarce Swift. Like the latter, this species was merged into the genus Apus, but the true relationships are uncertain.
Monotypic.
Habitat
Possibly a highland species, but habitat not known.
Behaviour
Nothing known about feeding or breeding. Presumed to have a similar behaviour like Scarce Swift. Breeding probably in winter as a female collected in February had enlarged oocytes.
