Sick's Swift
NameSick's Swift
Common NameSick's Swift
Scientific NameChaetura meridionalis
FamilyApodidae
Wingspan (cm)37
Length (cm)13.5
Weight (g)22.5
Plumage DetailsOverall sooty-brown plumage, slightly paler on the throat and belly. It has dark eyes and a small, pointed bill. The wings are long and narrow, appearing scythe-like in flight.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations consist of high-pitched, rapid chattering or twittering notes, often given in flight.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds in central and southern Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. It is migratory, moving north to the Amazon basin during the austral winter.
Identifying FeaturesLong, scythe-like wings, Short, square tail, Uniform sooty-brown plumage, Rapid, erratic flight pattern
Description
This medium-sized swift is characterized by its uniform sooty-brown plumage, long, narrow, scythe-like wings, and a short, square tail. It is an aerial insectivore, spending most of its life in flight, often seen foraging rapidly over various open and semi-open habitats.
