The ashy-tailed swift or Andre's swift is a Vulnerable species of bird in subfamily Apodinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is endemic to northern and central Venezuela.
Region
Northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs in northern and central Venezuela, especially along the Cordillera de la Costa and adjacent lowlands. It forages over humid and semi-humid forests, forest edges, and open country including towns and agricultural clearings. Birds frequently sweep along ridgelines and above river valleys, often high over the canopy. Roosting and nesting typically occur in natural tree cavities or occasionally man-made structures in nearby settled areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called Andre's swift, this small Chaetura swift is confined to northern and central Venezuela and is often seen coursing rapidly above forests and towns. It is typically detected by its sharp, high-pitched twittering as it forages for insects on the wing. Like other Chaetura, it nests in cavities and uses saliva to glue small twigs to vertical surfaces.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, agile dashes and abrupt turns
Social Behavior
Often travels and feeds in small to medium-sized flocks, sometimes mixed with other swifts. Nests are built inside cavities where twigs are glued to vertical surfaces with saliva; both adults share incubation and chick-rearing. Communal roosting may occur outside the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives high, thin twitters and rapid chittering calls that carry well overhead. Vocalizations are most frequent during active aerial foraging and near roost or nest sites.
Plumage
Overall sooty-brown to duskier chocolate with a contrasting ashy-gray tail and slightly paler throat. Feathers appear tight and sleek; tail short and squared with stiff spiny tips typical of Chaetura. Underparts are fairly uniform, sometimes marginally paler on the belly.
Diet
Feeds almost entirely on aerial insects such as flies, winged ants, termites, and small beetles. It captures prey in continuous flight, often high above the canopy but also lower over clearings and watercourses. Flocks may concentrate over insect swarms after rain or during termite emergences.
Preferred Environment
Most often hunts above forest edges, ridgelines, river corridors, and open spaces near woodland. It readily exploits thermals and wind lanes to cover large areas efficiently.
