Purple Needletail
Hirundapus celebensis
A huge swift of lowlands and mountains, one of the fastest-flying birds in the world. Mainly black with a purplish-blue gloss, an obvious white triangle under the base of the tail, and two pale marks at angles to each other in the center of each wing. Square tail has spines that are difficult to see; tail is sometimes held closed into a point. Distinguished from other swifts in its range by much larger size and by the white under the base of the tail. Voice unknown.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Hirundapus celebensis
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1866)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Apodidae
- Genus
- Hirundapus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Empress Brilliant
Heliodoxa imperatrix
Impressive hummingbird of Andean cloud forest in northwestern Ecuador and western Colombia. Large, thick-billed, and long-tailed, with golden sheen on the belly. Male has a violet throat patch, and female has white on throat and breast. Young birds have a rusty wash on face and throat. Favors very wet, epiphyte-laden forest, and visits feeders in some areas.
Velvet-browed Brilliant
Heliodoxa xanthogonys
Large, dark hummingbird. Common in tepui highlands. Male is mostly shining green, especially on the throat, breast, and forehead; female is white below with extensive green spotting. Both sexes have conspicuous white spot behind eye. Occurs in a wide variety of habitats including tall forest, edge, and open scrub at middle and high elevations (above 800 m) in tepui region. Feeds on nectar and defends patches of flowers from other hummingbirds. Gives loud, sharp chip note while foraging. No other large, green hummingbird occurs in its limited range.
Short-tailed Swift
Chaetura brachyura
Fairly small, dark swift found in lowlands and foothills throughout much of northern South America. Shape is distinctive compared with other Chaetura swifts: look for broad wings that bulge along the trailing edge and appear pinched in at the base, accentuating the short, square tail. Fairly common. Often occurs in loose flocks that forage over forests, rivers, and adjacent open areas.
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