Cypseloides lemosi
The White-chested Swift (Cypseloides lemosi) is an exceptionally rare and enigmatic aerial insectivore, characterized by its distinctive plumage and restricted range. Measuring approximately 14.5-16 cm in length, it presents a generally sooty blackish appearance, punctuated by a prominent, often triangular, white patch on its breast and sometimes throat, which serves as its primary field mark. A subtle white patch on the hindneck can also be observed in good views, though it's less conspicuou...
This swift inhabits humid montane and cloud forests, typically between 1,100 and 2,200 meters in elevation, though records exist up to 2,800m and occasionally lower. It shows a strong affinity for areas with steep cliffs and large waterfalls, which are critical for nesting and roosting.
The White-chested Swift is an obligate aerial insectivore, primarily feeding on a variety of flying insects. Its diet includes beetles, flies, ants, bees, wasps, and termites, all captured on the wing.
White-chested Swifts are quintessential aerial insectivores, spending the vast majority of their daylight hours on the wing, foraging for flying insects. They are often observed soaring and darting in mixed-species flocks, particularly with other swift species like the widespread White-collared S...
The White-chested Swift is an endemic resident of the Andes of Colombia, with a highly restricted and fragmented distribution. Its breeding and year-round range is confined to the Western and Central Cordilleras of the Colombian Andes, primarily across departments such as Cauca, Antioquia, Caldas...
Vulnerable
- The White-chested Swift is considered one of the least-known swift species globally, with much of its life history still a mystery. - It was only formally described in 1968, making it a relatively recent discovery in ornithology. - Its known global range is restricted entirely to the Andes moun...