Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis Scientific name definitions

Few Neotropical swifts are as attractive and easily identified as the Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, a species that ranges from southern Mexico south through Central America, and across the lowlands (below 1,500 m) of the northern two-thirds of South America, as well as on Trinidad. Nonetheless, throughout most of this extensive range it is at most locally common, being generally uncommon or even rare. This swift’s plumage is primarily deep black, with a bright white complete collar, which broadens over the breast and throat, a small white forehead spot, and large white patches on the rump sides, which are visible from both above and below. The only real risk of confusion comes in parts of, especially northern, Middle America, where the possibility of sympatric occurrence with the Greater Swallow-tailed Swift (Panyptila sanctihieronymi) must be considered. The latter species has a near-identical plumage pattern, but is substantially and obviously larger, which fact will be immediately appreciable with experience.

13 cm; 18 g. Medium-sized swift, black  with white collar , throat  and rear flank patches. Structure and plumage remarkably similar to much larger P. sanctihieronymi, but more grey-brown in collar area than latter; also shorter-winged (average nominate 119 mm and veraecrucis 126·8 mm, P. sancti­hieronymi 188 mm). Race veraecrucis larger than nominate.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Occurs in mixed groups with Chaetura and Cypseloides, but generally less ­gregarious than other apodids, not typically in flocks of over 6. Feeds in lower strata of mixed flocks with Cypseloides or Streptoprocne, but in their absence occupies higher levels than other swifts. In Venezuela, prey items 62·2% Diptera, 17·6% Homoptera and 13·9% Hymenoptera (n = 108); mean prey size 2·8 mm (range 1·1–7·9 mm) (1 Collins, C.T. and Thomas, B.T. (2012). Food habits of two Fork-tailed Swifts in Venezuela. Wilson J. Orn.. 124(1): 152–157. Close ).

Commonest calls include a reedy or wheezy phrase of fast twittering notes commencing and terminating in drawn-out first and last notes, “pzeee-pzi-titititititi-ti-ti-pzeee!” or a repeated drawn-out single “pzeeeh”.

Recorded Costa Rica Jan–Jun, Panama Mar–Aug, and Caldas, Colombia, Apr and Dec. In Brazil occupied nests found in Mato Grosso in Feb and in Pará Jun–Sept, and nestlings in Rio de Janeiro in Nov. Solitary. Recorded nesting under eaves, under bridges , against walls of occupied houses, inside deserted buildings and large forest trees  . Two nest types: either sock-shaped, fixed by sole to branch, with entrance a narrow sleeve hanging from sole, or long sleeve attached for whole length to trunk or wall; both consist of plant down with felt-like structure, feathers  frequently adhered to outside, agglutinated with saliva; dimensions range from 240 × 90 mm and 355 × 75 mm to 480 × 165 mm; entrance typically 10–50 mm wide. Clutch 2–3. Both adults roost in nest throughout year.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Local and uncommon, to locally fairly common in optimum habitat, such as Hill Bank, N Belize. Fairly common to uncommon in Central American range; perhaps less abundant in South America, where rare to uncommon in Ecuador, and uncommon in Venezuela and Colombia. Usually encountered in small numbers only.