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The Chestnut-collared Swift (Cypseloides rutilus) occurs naturally in Mexico and Trinidad south to Peru and Bolivia.
Description
This medium-sized swift measures about 12.7-13.5 cm in length, including its longish tail. It weighs about 20 g.
The male's plumage is blackish except for the rufous collar.
Females and juveniles either have an incomplete collar or lack the collar entirely. Immature birds look like females, but have reddish edges to the crown feathers.
Calls / Vocalizations
The Chestnut-collared Swift's call has been described as a chattering chit-chit-chit call.
Diet / Feeding
Chestnut-collared Swifts feed in flight on flying insects, especially flying ants.
Nesting / Breeding
The Chestnut-collared Swifts constructs nests shaped like a flattened cone out of mud and plant material and place them on vertical surfaces in a damp shady location near water, including caves or under bridges.
The average clutch consists of 2 white eggs, which both parents incubate for about 23 days. The young fledge when they are about 40 days old. The parents feed the chicks foodballs made from the collected prey.
Species Research by Sibylle Johnson
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