Chapman's Swift

The Chapman's swift, a sleek and agile bird, measures between 13 to 14 cm in length and tips the scales at a modest 20.75 to 28 grams. Both sexes present a similar appearance, characterized by a protruding head, a short square tail, and distinctive wings that bulge in the middle and curve slightly at the ends.

Identification Tips

To identify the Chapman's swift, look for its glossy black upperparts contrasted with a dark gray rump and uppertail coverts. The underparts are uniformly dark brown. The subspecies C. c. viridipennis is slightly larger and has a more uniform coloration with less contrast between the gray rump and black back.

Habitat

This swift favors the tropical lowland evergreen forests, secondary forests, and scrublands. It can also be observed feeding over coastal swamps and mangroves, adapting to a range of altitudes depending on the region.

Distribution

The Chapman's swift is found across a broad swath of South America, from Panama to northern Colombia and Venezuela, extending through the Guianas and into northeastern Brazil, with a presence on Trinidad. The subspecies C. c. viridipennis inhabits eastern Peru, eastern Bolivia, and western Amazonian Brazil. There are unconfirmed sightings in Ecuador.

Behaviour

Chapman's swifts are year-round residents in most of their range, with some populations of C. c. viridipennis migrating eastward in Brazil after breeding season. They are often seen feeding in mixed-species flocks or in groups of their own kind, displaying remarkable aerial agility.

Song & Calls

The principal call of the Chapman's swift is a series of strident single notes, a 'tseep' sound repeated without the twittering trills common to some other swifts. Additionally, they emit shorter 'tsip' calls.

Breeding

Breeding occurs during the wet season from late spring to early autumn for the nominate subspecies, and likely in the austral summer for C. c. viridipennis. Their nests are half cups attached to vertical surfaces, including man-made structures like chimneys, though they may also use hollow trees. Clutch sizes range from two to three eggs, with an incubation period of 17 to 18 days.

Diet and Feeding

As aerial insectivores, Chapman's swifts capture their prey on the wing, often joining other swift species in this pursuit.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Chapman's swift as Least Concern, with an estimated population of at least 50,000 mature individuals. Despite a suspected population decline, no immediate threats have been identified, and the species continues to thrive across a vast range.