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The biscutate swift is a species of bird in subfamily Cypseloidinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and possibly Paraguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The biscutate swift is about 22 cm (8.7 in) long and weighs about 115 g (4.1 oz). It has an almost square tail and the sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a sooty brown head that is lighter on the forehead, chin, and around the eyes. Their body is sooty blackish brown except for a wide white band across the breast and a narrow white band on the nape and somewhat on the sides of the neck; the bands do not meet. The wing and tail feathers are blackish on their outer webs and pale gray brown on the inner ones. Voice: The biscutate swift's principal vocalization is described as "chee chee chee chee chee..." or "weep-weep-weep".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Biscutate Swift lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Argentina.
When to see the Biscutate Swift
Peak activity in October · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
White-naped SwiftStreptoprocne semicollarisThe white-naped swift is the largest representative of the swift family in the New World and one of the two largest species in the world.
Tepui SwiftStreptoprocne phelpsiThe tepui swift is one of the smaller members of genus Streptoprocne.
Chestnut-collared SwiftStreptoprocne rutilaThe chesnut-collared swift is one of the smaller members of genus Streptoprocne.
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