Neotropical Palm Swift

The Fork-tailed Palm Swift, scientifically known as Tachornis squamata, is a dainty bird, measuring approximately 13 cm in length and tipping the scales at a mere 9 to 13.6 grams. It is characterized by its long, slender wings and a deeply forked tail, which gives it its name. Both sexes are similar in appearance, presenting a sleek and streamlined silhouette.

Identification Tips

Adults of the nominate subspecies, T. s. squamata, are cloaked in blackish-brown plumage with a subtle greenish sheen and pale gray feather edging. The rump is a shade lighter, while the cheeks are a grayish brown. The throat is a very pale brownish white, mottled with dusky spots. The underparts are pale with sparse light brown mottling, most notably in the belly's center. The undertail coverts are a contrasting blackish brown with pale edges. Juveniles resemble adults but have a buff tinge on the head and buffy edges on the upperparts' feathers. The subspecies T. s. semota is overall darker, with blacker upperparts and less gray on the feather edges, and the underparts are darker with minimal pale edging.

Habitat

This species thrives in a variety of landscapes, all of which feature the presence of palm trees, particularly the moriche palms. Habitats range from moist and wet savannas to palm swamps, riparian forests, and even urban areas. The Fork-tailed Palm Swift is typically found at low elevations, up to about 1,000 meters.

Distribution

The Fork-tailed Palm Swift is widely distributed across northern South America, including the Amazon Basin, and extends to Trinidad and Tobago. The nominate subspecies is found from northern Bolivia, eastern Peru, and Ecuador, through eastern Colombia and northwestern Brazil, to southern and eastern Venezuela. The T. s. semota subspecies inhabits Trinidad, Tobago, the Guianas, and north central, northeastern, and eastern Brazil.

Behaviour

This swift is a permanent resident throughout its range, exhibiting remarkable aerial agility. It is often seen foraging in small flocks, gracefully maneuvering through the air.

Feeding

As an aerial insectivore, the Fork-tailed Palm Swift captures a wide variety of insects mid-flight. Its diet is known to be highly varied, including insects from at least nine different orders. However, in certain regions, ants and termites may constitute the bulk of its diet, suggesting geographical or seasonal variations in feeding habits.

Breeding

The breeding season of the Fork-tailed Palm Swift varies by location. On Trinidad, it occurs between April and June, while in central Brazil, it is from September to November. The species shows a strong preference for nesting in palm trees, particularly the Mauritia flexuosa, although other species, including introduced palms, are also used. The nest is an unstructured clump of feathers, glued together with saliva and suspended from a dead palm frond. Remarkably, these swifts gather nesting material by plucking feathers from other birds in mid-air. The clutch typically consists of three eggs, which are incubated for around 21 days.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the Fork-tailed Palm Swift includes a trilling "trrrrreeeee," a buzzy "d-z-z-z-z-z," and a thin buzz, "bzzzzzzz bzz bzzzzzz," all of which are often heard during its flight.

Conservation Status

The IUCN has classified the Fork-tailed Palm Swift as Least Concern. It boasts an extremely large range and, although the population size is not precisely known, it is believed to be stable. There are no immediate threats identified for this species, and it has shown adaptability to human-altered environments, with the planting of ornamental palms providing additional nesting opportunities.