Introduction
The Short-tailed Swift (Chaetura brachyura) is a small Neotropical swift recognised by its broad wings, uniformly dark plumage and unusually short, square-ended tail. It is mainly a resident of tropical lowlands, where it feeds on flying insects above forests, wetlands, rivers, clearings and human-modified landscapes.
Physical Description
The Short-tailed Swift is about 12 centimetres long, with a compact, cigar-shaped body and long, broad, pointed wings. Its plumage is generally dark brown to blackish, often appearing almost black in flight. The tail is very short and square, creating the distinctive shape from which the species takes its common name.
Males and females are alike in appearance. Juveniles are also broadly similar to adults, although fresh young birds may show slightly paler feather edges. The species has the short legs and strong feet typical of swifts, adaptations for clinging to vertical surfaces rather than walking on the ground.
Range and Habitat
The Short-tailed Swift is distributed from Panama through northern and western South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and much of the Amazon Basin of Brazil. It also occurs on several Caribbean islands, including Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Saint Vincent. It is generally regarded as a resident species, although local or seasonal movements may occur.
It uses lowland rainforest, secondary forest, river corridors, forest edges, plantations, wetlands, open country and towns. The birds are often easiest to detect over clearings, rivers, lakes and forest margins, where flying insects gather. It is mostly a lowland bird, but may occur at higher elevations in parts of its range.
Where to See This Species
Caroni Swamp, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
Short-tailed Swifts have been documented at Caroni Swamp and the surrounding marshes. The wetland’s open water, mangroves and surrounding lowland habitats provide suitable areas for aerial feeding. Boat tours and birdwatching visits make the sanctuary a practical place to scan the sky for swifts, particularly in settled weather and during periods of high insect activity.
Nearby accommodation: Port of Spain is the main practical base, with hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation. Accommodation is also available in communities around central Trinidad.
Asa Wright Nature Centre, Arima Valley, Trinidad and Tobago
The Asa Wright Nature Centre’s bird list includes Short-tailed Swift. Its forested valley, surrounding clearings and elevated viewpoints provide opportunities to watch swifts passing overhead, especially above open areas and forest edges. The species may occur alongside Grey-rumped Swift, Band-rumped Swift and other regional swifts, making careful identification important.
Nearby accommodation: The nature centre provides lodge accommodation, while Arima and nearby communities offer guest houses, small hotels and self-catering options.
Cristalino Lodge, Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brazil
The Cristalino Lodge bird checklist records Short-tailed Swift in the southern Amazon. The lodge’s protected rainforest, river margins and open viewing areas are suitable for observing aerial insectivores. Birds may be seen moving above the forest canopy or along the Cristalino River, often in company with other swift species.
Nearby accommodation: Alta Floresta is the principal gateway, with hotels, guest houses and wildlife lodges. The lodge itself also provides accommodation for visitors to the reserve and surrounding rainforest.
Behaviour and Diet
The Short-tailed Swift spends much of its active time in the air. It feeds by catching insects in flight, including flies, beetles, ants and other small arthropods. Its wide gape allows it to collect several prey items during a feeding flight, and birds may forage alone, in pairs or in loose groups.
It is usually most active during daylight hours and may gather over rivers, wetlands, forest clearings and towns where flying insects are concentrated. The species is sociable outside the nesting period and may join mixed flocks of swifts, although different species often occupy slightly different flight levels.
Breeding information is best documented from Trinidad. The species breeds during the rainy season, when insect food is plentiful. Nests may be built inside cavities or man-made structures, including vertical cavities and manholes. Small twigs and other plant material are cemented together with saliva. In one Trinidad study, the average clutch was about four eggs. Young birds leave the nest at approximately three weeks but may continue clinging inside the nest cavity before fledging at around four to five weeks.
Identification Tips
- Look for a small, dark swift with broad wings and a very short, square tail.
- The body is usually uniform dark brown or blackish, without a conspicuous pale rump or throat.
- In flight, the trailing edge of the wings appears broad and slightly bulging, while the wing bases look relatively narrow.
- The short tail is often the most useful feature when several dark swifts are present.
- Grey-rumped Swift usually shows a contrasting grey rump, while Band-rumped Swift has a more noticeable pale rump band. Pale-rumped Swift is distinguished by its paler rump and generally different overall pattern.
- Identification can be difficult in poor light or when birds are flying high, so repeated views of the wing shape, tail and rump are valuable.
Conservation Status
The Short-tailed Swift is currently classified as Least Concern. It has a broad geographic range and remains locally common in suitable habitat. A precise global population estimate is not necessary for field identification and should not be inferred from local counts.
Potential local pressures include the loss of mature forest and nesting cavities, disturbance or alteration of man-made nesting structures, and changes in the abundance of flying insects caused by habitat change or pesticide use. Maintaining forest, wetland and river-edge habitats, protecting known nesting sites and reducing unnecessary pesticide use can benefit the species and other aerial insectivores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can the Short-tailed Swift be found?
It occurs from Panama through much of northern and western South America, including the Amazon Basin, and on several Caribbean islands such as Trinidad and Tobago.
What does the Short-tailed Swift eat?
It is an aerial insectivore that catches flying insects such as flies, beetles, ants and other small arthropods while in flight.
How can the Short-tailed Swift be identified?
Look for a uniformly dark swift with broad wings and a very short, square tail. The absence of a contrasting pale rump is also useful when comparing it with some other Chaetura swifts.
Is the Short-tailed Swift migratory?
It is generally considered a resident species across its range, although local or seasonal movements may occur in response to weather, food availability or breeding conditions.
Where does the Short-tailed Swift nest?
It nests in cavities and other sheltered vertical sites, including natural tree cavities and some man-made structures. Its small twig nest is held together with saliva.
What is the conservation status of the Short-tailed Swift?
The species is classified as Least Concern. Nevertheless, protecting forest, wetland and river habitats remains important, particularly where nesting sites and insect-rich feeding areas are being lost.
References
- IOC World Bird List
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History
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