CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWIFT

The 'Chestnut-collared Swift', '''Cypseloides rutilus''', is a resident breeding bird from Mexico and Trinidad south to Peru and Bolivia. It is one of the species of ''Cypseloides'' controversially moved to ''Streptoprocne'' by the AOU (BLI 2004).
This swift is a medium-sized species, 12.7-13.5 cm long, with a longish tail, and weighing 20 g. The male is blackish with a rufous collar. In females and immatures the rufous collar is incomplete or absent. Young birds also differ from the females in that they have reddish edges to the crown feathers. The Chestnut-collared Swift has a chattering ''chit-chit-chit'' call.
Chestnut-collared Swifts feed in flight on flying insects, especially flying ants, often at a greater height than other swifts. Although breeding occurs at all levels where there are suitable sites, this species usually feeds over hill forests or more open woodland at 500m or more.
The Chestnut-collared Swift builds a nest of mud and plant material on a vertical surface in a damp shady location near water, such as in a cave, under a bridge, or in a culvert. The nest is shaped like a flattened cone, and the two white eggs are incubated by both sexes for 23 days, with a further 40 days to fledging. The young are fed on foodballs made from the collected prey.

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References

References

★ Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

★ 'Chantler', Phil & 'Driessens', Gerald (2000): ''Swifts : a guide to the swifts and treeswifts of the world''. Pica Press, Mountfield, East Sussex. ISBN 1-873403-83-6

★ 'ffrench', Richard; O'Neill, John Patton & Eckelberry, Don R. (1991): ''A guide to the birds of Trinidad and Tobago'' (2nd edition). Comstock Publishing, Ithaca, N.Y.. ISBN 0-8014-9792-2

★ 'Hilty', Steven L. (2003): ''Birds of Venezuela''. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-6418-5