- Cypseloides storeri
Identification
With 14 cm a medium-sized Swift, very similar to White-chinned Swift.
- Blackish plumage
- Pale grey areas on chin and forehead
- Relatively short and square tail
- Generally a squat appearance
Probably only identifiable in hand by tail/tarsus ratio.
Distribution
Probably endemic to south-western Mexico. Obviously very rare. After the species was described based on one specimen found in the wild, other old birds in museums were identified as this species too. There is only one probable sighting in the field.
Data-deficient, but probably very rare.
Taxonomy
Described as recently as 1992. Regarded by some as a subspecies of White-chinned Swift. Others believe that it forms a superspecies with White-chinned Swift.
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Mountains in Mexico, probably montane cloudforest with gorges and waterfalls.
Behaviour
Nothing known. A presumed bird of this species was seen in a flock together with other Swifts.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) White-fronted Swift. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-fronted_Swift
