Great Dusky Swift
Cypseloides senex
The Great Dusky Swift (Cypseloides senex) is a rare swift found in 4 countries, weighing about 82 g. The great dusky swift is a species of bird in subfamily Cypseloidinae of the swift family Apodidae.
About the Great Dusky Swift
The great dusky swift is a species of bird in subfamily Cypseloidinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and possibly Bolivia.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The great dusky swift is the largest member of genus Cypseloides. It is 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs 56 to 110 g (2.0 to 3.9 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a chocolate brown crown and throat with pale gray edges to the feathers, giving a frosted appearance to the face. Their back is a darker brown, their rump a brown intermediate between the head and back, and their tail blackish brown. Their undersides are a paler brown than the back. The upper side of the wing is mostly brown and the underside somewhat lighter. Voice: The great dusky swift's principal vocalization is described as "a ti-ti-ti sound followed by a buzz, tirr-tshaarr."
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, March, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Great Dusky Swift?
- The great dusky swift is the largest member of genus Cypseloides. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Great Dusky Swift?
- The Great Dusky Swift is a medium sized bird weighing about 82 g.
- Where can you see a Great Dusky Swift?
- The Great Dusky Swift occurs in 4 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia.
- What birds look similar to a Great Dusky Swift?
- The Great Dusky Swift is most easily confused with the Spot-fronted Swift, the White-chinned Swift and the Sooty Swift.
- Is the Great Dusky Swift endangered?
- The Great Dusky Swift is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Great Dusky Swift for real
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