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Rothschild's Swift Cypseloides rothschildi Scientific name definitions

Philip Chantler, Peter F. D. Boesman, and Christopher J. Sharpe
Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020
Text last updated July 13, 2016

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Introduction

The Rothschild’s Swift was long considered to be conspecific with the Sooty Swift (Cypseloides fumigatus), which species is largely confined to southeastern South America. Like other Cypseloides species, Rothschild’s Swift is a medium-sized swift with long, broad wings, and a short square-ended tail. Its plumage is entirely mid brown; in the field separation from Sooty Swift is probably impossible, except on distribution. The present species is more or less confined to northwest Argentina, although it probably ranges narrowly into Bolivia; there are no records from Peru, despite many assertions in the literature to the contrary. Very poorly known indeed, virtually nothing has been published concerning the Rothschild’s Swift’s ecology and behavior.

Field Identification

15 cm. A medium-sized swift with long, broad wings and a short, rather square tail; very uniform mid-brown all over. In the hand, separable from C. fumigatus by soft tail, which lacks stiffened or protruding father shafts; paler plumage and longer wings on average.

Systematics History

Formerly known by name C. major, but that name invalid, as preoccupied by “Chaetura major”, a synonym of C. senex. Present species thought to be closely related to C. niger, C. lemosi and C. fumigatus. Sometimes considered conspecific with C. fumigatus, and possibly with C. cryptus. Monotypic.

Subspecies

Monotypic.

Distribution

SE Bolivia (Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca and Tarija) and NW Argentina (Jujuy, Salta and W Formosa S to Córdoba).

Habitat

In general, not very well known. Species is believed to occur exclusively within an altitude range of 500–2000 m. A flock of swifts, believed to be of present species, was recorded over an arid inter­montane valley at 1500 m in W Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Main habitat has been defined as montane evergreen forest.

Movement

Resident. May winter at N end of range, in Bolivia and possibly Peru (no records). A flock, c. 30, possibly of this species was recorded in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in mid-Mar.

Diet and Foraging

No information available.

Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Voice poorly known. A short “pip” or “peep” has been recorded in flight.

Breeding

No information.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. Restricted-range species: present in Argentina and South Bolivian Yungas EBA. Very poorly known, with relatively few records. Species can sometimes be seen along road between Salta and Humahuaca, Argentina. No information regarding population size or trends. In the absence of data on basic biology, threats remain unknown. Currently indistinguishable in the field from Sooty Swift (Cypseloides fumigatus ) (1). Occurs in several protected areas, including 763 km2 Calilegua National Park, Argentina. Ecological requirements in need of study.

Distribution of the Rothschild's Swift - Range Map
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  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the Rothschild's Swift

Recommended Citation

Chantler, P., P. F. D. Boesman, and C. J. Sharpe (2020). Rothschild's Swift (Cypseloides rothschildi), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.rotswi1.01
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