Tepui Swift Streptoprocne phelpsi

One of only two species of Neotropical swifts that show reddish feathering on the head and neck, Tepui Swift is a recently described species that is largely confined to the pantepui region of southern Venezuela, northernmost Brazil, and western Guyana. There are a few reports, however, from the north coast of Venezuela, which hints at the present of additional populations or significant long distance dispersal. Tepui Swift is a midsized swift with long, relatively broad wings, and a stocky body. Seen well, the most striking feature is the orange throat and collar (which is paler in females). Tepui Swift is similar in size and plumage to Chestnut-collared Swift (Streptoprocne rutila). Chestnut-collared Swift is absent from the tepui region, so these species usually are allopatric; Chestnut-collared Swift is resident in the coastal cordilleras of Venezuela, however, so field identification of Tepui Swift in this region calls for great care. Tepui Swift differs from Chestnut-collared most noticeably bu the more deeply forked tail.