Schoutedenapus myoptilus
The Scarce Swift (*Schoutedenapus myoptilus*) is a sleek, aerial insectivore native to the montane regions of sub-Saharan Africa, typically measuring 16-17 cm in length and weighing between 28-49 g. Its plumage is a uniform sooty brown or blackish, often featuring a subtle, paler greyish throat patch that can be challenging to observe in flight. Key field marks include its exceptionally long, narrow, scythe-like wings and a subtly forked tail, which, combined with its high-flying habits, make...
Primarily an inhabitant of montane ecosystems, found over high-altitude evergreen forests, open grasslands, and rocky gorges. Typically occurs at elevations between 1,000 and 3,000 meters.
Feeds entirely on aerial invertebrates, including a diverse array of flies, beetles, ants, and termites, which it expertly captures on the wing during continuous flight.
Scarce Swifts are almost exclusively aerial, spending their days in continuous flight, a characteristic trait of the swift family. They forage for aerial insects throughout the day, often in large, dynamic mixed-species flocks that wheel and dive with remarkable agility. Roosting occurs communall...
The Scarce Swift exhibits a remarkably disjunct and fragmented distribution across the montane regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary breeding range extends through several key high-altitude zones: in Eastern Africa, populations are found in the highlands of Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi,...
Least Concern
- The Scarce Swift spends virtually its entire life in the air, only landing to nest or roost in sheltered spots. - It belongs to the unique genus *Schoutedenapus*, which comprises only two species, making it a distinctive lineage among swifts. - Despite its name suggesting rarity, the IUCN conse...