Ashy-tailed swift facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashy-tailed swift |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chaetura
|
| Species: |
andrei
|
 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The ashy-tailed swift (also known as Andre's swift) is a small, fast-flying bird. It belongs to the swift family, which are famous for their incredible flying abilities. This special bird lives only in northern and central Venezuela, a country in South America. Sadly, it is considered a Vulnerable species, meaning its population numbers are getting low.
Contents
About the Ashy-tailed Swift
What's in a Name?
Scientists who study animals often group them together based on how they are related. This is called taxonomy. Sometimes, it can be tricky to figure out exactly how different animals are connected.
For a while, the ashy-tailed swift was thought to be a type of Vaux's swift. But new studies, especially one in 2018, showed that it is actually its own unique species. This means it's different enough from other swifts to have its own special classification.
In 2020 and 2021, big bird organizations like the American Ornithological Society agreed. They officially recognized the ashy-tailed swift as a separate species.
What Does It Look Like?
The ashy-tailed swift is about 11 cm (4.3 in) long. That's about the length of a small pencil! It weighs between 15 to 22 g (0.53 to 0.78 oz), which is lighter than a few coins.
Like most swifts, it has long, pointed wings that help it fly very fast. Its body is mostly grayish-brown. The feathers on its belly are a bit lighter. Compared to the Vaux's swift, its throat and belly are usually browner, and its back is a lighter brown. Its rump (the area above its tail) is also paler.
Where Does It Live?
This bird is endemic to Venezuela. This means you can only find it living naturally in Venezuela and nowhere else in the world! It prefers to live in deciduous forests, which are forests where trees lose their leaves in certain seasons. You can find it in the eastern lowlands and the eastern part of the Venezuelan Coastal Range.
How Does It Behave?
Scientists don't know a lot about the ashy-tailed swift's daily life. Like all swifts, it's an aerial insectivore. This means it catches and eats insects and spiders while flying in the air.
We don't know much about how they build nests or raise their young. More research is needed to understand their breeding habits.
What Does It Sound Like?
The call of the ashy-tailed swift is described as a "high-pitched, rapid chipping and buzzy insect-like twitter." They make these sounds while flying. It's quite rare to find recordings of this bird's calls. As of late 2022, there were very few recordings available.
Why Is It Vulnerable?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the ashy-tailed swift as a Vulnerable species. This means it faces a high risk of becoming endangered in the wild.
Scientists estimate there are only about 2,500 to 10,000 adult ashy-tailed swifts left. Their numbers are going down because their forest homes are being lost. Protecting their habitat is very important to help these unique birds survive.
See also
In Spanish: Vencejo de tormenta para niños
