Sick's Swift

The Sick's swift, known scientifically as Chaetura meridionalis, is a bird of swift agility and modest appearance. Its plumage is a dark smoky brown across the upperparts, while the tail is an ashy grey, adorned with dark shafts and distinctive protruding spines. The throat presents a lighter grey, contrasting with the dark brown of the lower underparts. Both bill and legs are a deep black, completing its simple yet effective attire for life on the wing.

Identification Tips

When observing Sick's swift, look for its smoky brown upperparts and ashy grey tail with spines that protrude beyond the feather tips. The grey throat and darker underparts are also key features. Its flight is rapid and direct, with quick wingbeats typical of swifts.

Habitat

This species is partial to the edges of lowland evergreen forests, secondary forests, open woodlands, and second-growth scrub. However, it is an adaptable bird and can be seen flying over a variety of habitats during its annual migration.

Distribution

Sick's swift breeds in southeastern Brazil and adjacent regions of Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. In the Austral winter, it migrates north to the Amazon basin and other parts of northern South America, including Panama. Its wintering range is not well-documented, but sightings have been reported from Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname, and French Guiana.

Behaviour

Breeding The nest of Sick's swift is an open cup, similar to that of the chimney swift, and is typically placed in a chimney or hollow tree. It is constructed almost entirely of one type of dry leaf stalks, about 5 cm in length. The nest is rather sparse and transparent, with adhesive saliva used at the attachment point and front side. The nest lacks a rear wall, as it is built against the side of the tree. The breeding period coincides with the transition from the dry season to the rainy period. Nests are reused until they fall, after which a new nest is built at the same location. Clutch size ranges from 3 to 5 eggs, with the female incubating and both parents feeding the young.

Feeding

The diet consists of flying insects, which are caught on the wing. Sick's swift often flies low over roads or clearings during the morning or evening and ascends to great heights above the forest canopy during midday, sometimes mingling with other swift species.

Conservation status

The Sick's swift is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. It is common within its breeding range, which spans over 5 million square kilometers, and less common in its wintering range. There are no significant threats identified, and the population does not appear to be in decline.