Order: APODIFORMES
Family: APODIDAE
This species was previously considered conspecific with C. vauxi, C. viridipenis and C. pelagic and is normally difficult to differentiate from other Chaetura. Its name Chaetura derives from the Greek roots khaite = hair and oura = tail. The epithet chapmani was established in honor of the American ornithologist and collector Frank Michler Chapman.
Description
It is 13 to 14 cm on lenght and weighs 21 to 28 g. Its tail is short and square with the rachis of the feathers extending 6mm beyond the margin. It is a remarkably blackish bird with only contrast in the region from the lower back to the upper caudal coverts, which are paler and greyish. Their head and coat are a lustrous blue hue and their underparts are uniform dark brown. The young can be distinguished because they have full plumage and in good condition when the adults are molting or with worn plumage.
Similar species
Very similar to the Amazon Swift (Chaetura viridipennis) which has longer wings and tail and an iridescent green crown and mantle, not iridescent blue. The Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagic) is paler overall, with contrasting pale throat and sooty brown coat.
Regional Differences
It is considered a monotypic species
Distribution
This species is found from central Panama and Colombia to Venezuela, Trinidad, the Guianas, and northeastern Brazil. Its area of distribution in the country is unclear but it is probably found in the northern lowlands in the Caribbean region, the middle and lower valleys of the Magdalena River and in the Pacific lowlands and the Western mountain range from the Valle del Cauca to the limits with Panama.
Habitat
In Trinidad it has been observed flying over bushes, shrubby savannas and forested hills. In general it seems to prefer wooded and mountainous terrain.
Feeding
Like its congeners, it feeds mainly on arthropods, although it is unknown which groups in particular make up its diet.
Breeding
In Trinidad, a nest was recorded in May, which consisted of a shallow cup, built with sticks and cemented with saliva on a vertical wall. Their lay size is probably 2 eggs.
Behavior
Individuals are frequently seen alone or in mixed flocks with other species of the genus Chaetura. Commonly forages on jungle or mountainous terrain. When it is at rest or in the nest it commonly produces a sound similar to a rattling or by the movement of its wings.
Taxonomy
Some authors suggest that it forms a superspecies with C. vauxi and C. pelagic, while some others consider that these taxa could form a single species. Previously considered conspecific with C. viridipennis.
Conservation status
In the international field, it is considered a kind of minor concern.
Vocalization/ Song
https://www.xeno-canto.org/359162
References
Avibase. 2015. Chaetura chapmani. Downloaded fromhttp: //avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp? Lang = EN & avibaseid = B4EA32F1CF2FB671 on 08/14/2015.
BirdLife International (2015) Species factsheet: Chaetura chapmani. Downloaded fromhttp: //www.birdlife.org on 11/01/2015.
Chantler, P. Chaetura chapmani Pp 444-445 In: Del-Hoyo, J., Elliot, A. and Sardatal, J. 2002. Handbook of the Birds of the Wold. Vol 5. Barn-Owls to Hummingbirds. Lynx editions. Barcelona. 759p.
Collins, C. T. 1968. Notes on the biology of Chapman’s Swift Chaetura chapmani (Aves, Apodidae). American Museum Novitates 2320: 1-15.
Hilty, S. L. and W. L. Brown. 2001. Guide to the Birds of Colombia. Princetn. Univ. Press, Princeton, NJ. 1030p.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 17 July 2015.
