Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift

This small swift is found in range of habitats including forest clearings, more open woodland, and cultivation. The nest is tubular, wider at the top, and with the entrance at its base. It is made of plant material and attached to a branch or a vertical surface. In the latter case, the entire length is fixed to the wall or trunk. Two or three white eggs are laid on a shelf in the upper part of the nest, and incubated by both parents.

The Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

-Although the Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift has been taken in most of the Central American republics, the small population which has been reported in the lowlands of southeastern Mexico (southern Veracruz) was thought to bc separated from the more southern populations by a great expanse of territory in southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala and western Honduras. That P. More

The Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift is a slender species, 12.7-13 cm long, and weighing 18 g. It has long narrow wings and a long forked tail, which is usually held tightly closed. It is mainly black with a white throat and upper breast and squarish white patches on the rear flanks. The sexes are similar. The flight is very fast and dashing, although it will glide at height in a more leisurely fashion. More

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift - Panyptila cayennensis Long-billed Hermit - Phaethornis longirostris Stripe-throated Hermit - Phaethornis striigularis White-necked Jacobin - Florisuga mellivora Black-throated Mango - Anthracothorax nigricollis Violet-crowned Woodnymph - Thalurania colombica Violet-bellied Hummingbird - Damophila julie Sapphire-throated Hummingbird - Lepidopyga coeruleogularis Blue-chested Hummingbird - Amazilia amabilis Snowy-bellied Hummingbird - Amazilia edward Rufous-tailed Hummingbird - Amazilia tzacatl White-vented Plumeleteer - Chalybura buffonii Purple-crowned Fairy - Heliothryx More

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis = near Puerto Jimenez, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica - Feb 3, 2007 More

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis = Described by: Gmelin, J. F. (1789) Alternate common name(s): Cayenne Swift Old scientific name(s): None known by website authors Photographs Pedro Vicente Maldonado, Ecuador - Mar 9, 2007 More

Lesser Swallow-tailed SwiftBirds in Suriname = - Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis Three photos of a Swallow-tailed Swift made by Ruud Kampf in Suriname in December 2009. This swift is uncommon and local in the coastal area, even found above Paramaribo and it is also found above the forest of the interior. More