| Tepui swift | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Strisores |
| Order: | Apodiformes |
| Family: | Apodidae |
| Genus: | Streptoprocne |
| Species: | S. phelpsi |
| Binomial name | |
| Streptoprocne phelpsi (Collins, 1972) | |
 | |
| Synonyms | |
Cypseloides phelpsi Collins, 1972 | |
The tepui swift (Streptoprocne phelpsi) is a species of bird in subfamily Cypseloidinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela. [2] [3]
What is now the tepui swift was first collected in the 19th century but was not recognized as a separate species until 1972. It was originally assigned to genus Cypseloides but by the 2000s was reassigned to Streptoprocne. It and the chestnut-collared swift (C. rutila) form a superspecies. Its specific epithet honors William H. Phelps Jr. [4] [5]
The tepui swift is one of the smaller members of genus Streptoprocne. It is 14 to 16 cm (5.5 to 6.3 in) long and weighs about 20 to 24 g (0.71 to 0.85 oz). It has a long deeply notched tail and long broad wings. Adult males' most obvious feature is the wide orange-chestnut collar that encircles the neck and includes the upper breast, chin, throat, and most of the face. The rest of its plumage is sooty black, at times with a few white feathers on the breast below the collar. Adult females are similar to males though some have a paler breast with brown mixed in. Immatures resemble adults with the addition of pale gray edges to the underparts' feathers. [4]
The tepui swift is found in the tepui area where southeastern Venezuela, western Guyana, and far northwestern Brazil meet. One individual has been documented in far northern Venezuela; it is not known if it was a vagrant or a migrant. The species is found in humid montane and lowland forests, montane grasslands, and around cliffs. In elevation it mostly ranges between 200 and 2,200 m (660 and 7,200 ft) but has occurred as high as 2,630 m (8,600 ft). [4] [6]
The tepui swift is thought to be a year-round resident in its range but reports from elsewhere hint at the possibility that it is migratory. [4]
Like all swifts, the tepui is an aerial insectivore, but little is known about the details of its diet. It often feeds in flocks of 10 to 20 or more that sometimes include white-collared swifts (Streptoprocne zonaris). [4]
The tepui swift's breeding biology is not well known. It apparently mostly nests in the northern hemisphere's late spring and early summer, though a nest with a nearly full grown nestling was photographed in early September. Few nests have been found; they were on cliffs and in rocky grottos. The early September nest was a cup of rootlets and moss on a rock shelf in a cave. There is some suggestion that the species nests in colonies. [4] [6]
The tepui swift appears to have two flight calls, "a squeak followed by a trill and short squeals, squeek, titititititititi sui, squi, squi..." and "a slow series of reedy or hissing tic notes". [4]
The IUCN has assessed the tepui swift as being of Least Concern, though its population size is unknown and believed to be decreasing. No immeditate threats have been identified. [1] It is considered uncommon to fairly common, and "[a]t least in the short term, human activity probably has little effect on Tepui Swift, although it may be vulnerable in the long term to deforestation". [4]
The Guianan trogon, is a near passerine bird in the trogon and quetzal family Trogonidae. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad, and Venezuela.
The chestnut-collared swift is a species of bird in subfamily Cypseloidinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found from Mexico and Trinidad south to Peru and Bolivia.
The buffy tuftedcheek or Lawrence's tuftedcheek is a passerine bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Costa Rica and Panama.
The streaked tuftedcheek is a passerine bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
The white-collared swift is a species of bird in the subfamily Cypseloidinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Mexico, the Greater and Lesser Antilles, Trinidad, and every mainland South American country except Uruguay.
The buff-breasted sabrewing, or sometimes Duida sabrewing, is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Brazil and Venezuela.
The rufous-breasted sabrewing is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
The white-tipped swift is a species of bird in subfamily Apodinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and possibly Guyana.
The white-chinned swift is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. It is found from Mexico south through most Central America countries into South America as far south as Peru and east as far as Suriname.
The white-chested swift is a species of bird in subfamily Cypseloidinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and possibly Brazil.
The great dusky swift is a species of bird in subfamily Cypseloidinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and possibly Bolivia.
The biscutate swift is a species of bird in subfamily Cypseloidinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and possibly Paraguay.
The rusty-vented canastero, or creamy-breasted canastero, is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina and Bolivia.
The tepui spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
The pale-legged hornero is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, and Peru.
The Roraiman barbtail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
The spectacled prickletail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
McConnell's spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
The ruddy spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and possibly Guyana.
The tepui toucanet or Whitely's toucanet is a near-passerine bird in the toucan family Ramphastidae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
