- Chaetura martinica
Identification
Lesser Antillean Swift has brownish-gray upperparts with a lighter gray rump, and dark gray underparts. It has a short tail showing "needle-tail" consisting of bare shafts, a feature shared with other Chaetura swifts. The bird is about 11 cm or 4.25 inches.
Similar species
Black Swift is the main contender within the range of LA Swift: LA Swift is smaller and grayer, has a shorter tail, and will show a fork in the tail only if molt is ongoing. The gray rump can be seen only in good observation conditions, but when seen will clinch the identification relative to Black Swift.
Chimney Swift is a rare migrant through the area, and some of the Chaetura swifts that breed in Trinidad and northern South America have been identified as accidentals further north within the range of LA Swift. It is possible that some of these are overlooked, because we are used to LA Swift being the only Chaetura swift in the area. Short-tailed Swift is now breeding north to St. Lucia.
Distribution
Only found in the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe to St Vincent.
Fairly common in parts of its range.
Taxonomy
Forms a superspecies with Grey-rumped Swift and Pale-rumped Swift. The three species have been placed into genus Acanthylis, together with Band-rumped Swift.
This is a monotypic species1.
Habitat
Found both at low and high elevation, but most likely to be found low when the higher areas are covered with rain-clouds. Mainly a forest species.
Behaviour
Feeds on insects taken in flight. Gregarious and often seen foraging in flocks of up to 40 birds, sometimes together with Swallows.
Breeding season from late spring to early summer. Nest half-cupped, nest sites probably like other Chaetura species. Lays 3 eggs.
Resident all year around.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
External Links
The following link will search for pictures of this species in the gallery; however, at the time of editing, no image was found in the gallery.
