The swallow-winged puffbird is a species of near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. It is also called the swallow-wing. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin and the Guianas
Typical Environment
Found widely across northern South America from the Guianas and Venezuela through much of the Amazon Basin in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. It favors open or semi-open habitats such as river edges, white-sand campinas, forest edges, clearings, and secondary growth. Frequently occurs along sandy riverbanks and on river islands where it can dig nest burrows. It tolerates disturbance and is often seen around roadsides, pastures, and settlements near forest.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The swallow-winged puffbird is the only species in its genus and is known for its long, pointed wings and short tail, which give it a swallow-like silhouette in flight. It often perches conspicuously on snags or wires and sallies out to catch flying insects. Unusually for a puffbird, it excavates nest burrows in sandy or earthen banks, much like some kingfishers or bee-eaters. It adapts well to edges and clearings, and can become common along river corridors and disturbed habitats.
Chelidoptera tenebrosa illustration by Swainson, 1841
Temperament
alert and perch-oriented
Flight Pattern
swift, direct flight with short glides on pointed wings
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone, in pairs, or small family groups. Pairs maintain territories along river edges and open clearings. They nest by excavating tunnels in sandy banks, where both members of the pair participate in digging and incubation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives clear, whistled notes and short, piping series delivered from exposed perches. Calls are penetrating but simple, often repeated at intervals during the day.
Plumage
Mostly sooty to gray-brown with a smooth, uniform appearance; underparts slightly paler and can show a faintly buffy wash. Wings are long and pointed, tail short. Plumage lacks bold patterning but may show a subtle paler throat and rump. Feathers appear sleek and close-fitting, aiding its swift, direct flight.
Diet
Primarily hunts flying insects such as bees, wasps, termites, beetles, and dragonflies. Feeds by sallying from open perches and catching prey on the wing. Occasionally gleans from foliage or the ground near its perch, but aerial hawking is typical.
Preferred Environment
Open perches along riverbanks, forest edges, clearings, and white-sand habitats. Frequently uses dead snags, fence posts, and wires that offer unobstructed launch points for aerial sallies.
