Andean swift
{{short description|Species of bird}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2022}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Andean swift
| image = Aeronautes andecolus 1847.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Aeronautes
| species = andecolus
| authority = (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837)
| range_map = Andean Swift ebird data map.png
| range_map_caption = Global range{{leftlegend|#007F00|Year-Round Range|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#E0CF01|Summer Range|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#0080FF|Winter Range|outline=gray}}
| synonyms = *Micropus andecolus
- Apus andecolus
}}
The Andean swift (Aeronautes andecolus) is a species of bird in subfamily Apodinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.{{cite web |url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/bow/swifts/ |title=Owlet-nightjars, treeswifts, swifts |website=IOC World Bird List |version =v 12.2 |editor-last1=Gill |editor-first1= F. |editor-last2=Donsker|editor-first2=D.|editor-last3=Rasmussen |editor-first3=P. |date=August 2022 |access-date=August 9, 2022 }}HBW and BirdLife International (2021) Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Version 6. Available at: http://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_Checklist_v6_Dec21.zip retrieved August 7, 2022
Taxonomy and systematics
The Andean swift was at one time placed in genus Micropus which was later merged into Aeronautes, and also in genus Apus from which it was split. Three subspecies are recognized, the nominate A. a. andecolus, A. a. parvulus, and A. a. peruvianus.
Description
The Andean swift is about {{convert|14|cm|in|abbr=on}} long. It has sharply pointed wings and a long deeply forked tail. The sexes are alike. Adults of the nominate subspecies have mostly black upperparts with a white collar and band on the rump. Their face and underparts are mostly white to off-white with mottled buff on the flanks and vent. Subspecies A. a. parvulus is smaller than the nominate and the borders between black and white areas are very sharply defined. A. a. peruvianus is also smaller than the nominate. Its tail is shorter and less deeply forked, its white plumage is purer, and it has darker undertail coverts.Chantler, P. and P. F. D. Boesman (2020). Andean Swift (Aeronautes andecolus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.andswi1.01 retrieved October 7, 2022
Distribution and habitat
Subspecies A. a. parvulus of the Andean swift is the northernmost; it is found on the western slope of the Andes from Peru's Cajamarca Department south into far northern Chile's Tarapacá Region. The nominate A. a. andecolus is found from central Bolivia south to Río Negro Province in west central Argentina. A. a. peruvianus is restricted to the east slope of the Andes in southeastern Peru.
The Andean swift mostly inhabits semi-arid montane scrub landscapes though it is also found in both drier and more humid areas. It is occasionally seen over forested slopes. In elevation it mostly ranges between {{convert|2500|and|3550|m|ft|-2|abbr=on}} in Peru and Bolivia and between {{convert|2000|and|2500|m|ft|abbr=on}} in Argentina. It has been recorded above {{convert|4100|m|ft|abbr=on}} in Peru.
Behavior
=Movement=
=Feeding=
Like all swifts, the Andean is an aerial insectivore, but no details of its diet are known. It often forages in flocks with wintering chimney swifts (Chaetura pelagica).
=Breeding=
=Vocalization=
Status
The IUCN has assessed the Andean swift as being of Least Concern. It has a large range, and though its population size is not known it is believed to be stable. No immediate threats have been identified. It is generally considered common, though uncommon in northern Chile and "local and irregular" in parts of Argentina.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/27651543@N08/2573048492/ Photo]
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