Costa Rican Swift

Costa Rican Swift
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Apodiformes
Family:	Apodidae
Genus:	Chaetura
Species:	C. fumosa
Binomial name
Chaetura fumosa Salvin, 1870

The Costa Rican Swift (Chaetura fumosa) is a species of swift in the Apodidae family. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

The Costa Rican Swift is a blackish, slim winged swift with sharply contrasting pale-rump band and distinctly pale throat. Sooty- black coloration is tinged with glossy blue. Bill and feet black. Be sure to compare with Gray-rumped Swift.

Costa Rican Swifts usually fly and feed on inscets over open habitats and agricultural fields, although this species sometimes can be found over forest and semi-open habitats. Usually in groups of 5-10, although forms flocks of up to 50 after breeding season. Associates with other small swifts (see Gray-rumped Swift and Vaux's Swift) where ranges overlap and where feeding is good. Nests in tree hole 30 ft. up in any sort of tree.

References

• BirdLife International 2004. Chaetura fumosa. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 24 July 2007.