Andean Swift

Overview

The Andean swift (Aeronautes andecolus) is a species of bird in the swift family Apodidae. It is a year-round resident found across the Andes in South America, specifically in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.

Identification

• Length of approximately 14 cm with sharply pointed wings and a long, deeply forked tail.
• Adults of the nominate subspecies feature mostly black upperparts with a white collar and rump band, contrasting with white to off-white face and underparts that have mottled buff flanks.
• Vocalizations include a buzzy, grating 'tzee-tz-tz-trrr...tzee-tz-tz-tzee...' and a series of single 'tzree..tzree..tzree...' notes.

Habitat

Primarily inhabits semi-arid montane scrub landscapes, though it also occurs in drier and more humid areas, occasionally over forested slopes. Elevation ranges typically between 2,000 and 3,550 m, with records up to 4,100 m in Peru. The species is distributed across western and eastern Andean slopes in Peru, central Bolivia, and west-central Argentina.

Diet

An aerial insectivore that forages in flocks, often joining wintering chimney swifts. Specific details regarding its diet composition are unknown.

Did you know?

Although the Andean swift has been documented nesting in holes in steep rock faces, including behind waterfalls, the nest itself has never been described.