AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Panyptila cayennensis
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift
(Gmelin, 1789)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A medium-small, elegant swift with a highly aerodynamic silhouette, characterized by a long, deeply forked tail that is often held tightly closed like a needle. Its plumage is predominantly glossy blue-black, contrasting sharply with a white throat, upper breast, patch on the flanks, and a white collar wrapping around the hindneck.
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Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Apodiformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Apodidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Panyptila
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Gmelin, 1789)
Record Completeness
95%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Forages in the open skies over humid lowland forests, secondary growth, clearings, and occasionally urban areas. It nests and roosts on vertical structures, including tree trunks, palm fronds, cliffs, and the walls of buildings.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
An aerial specialist that spends nearly its entire active day aloft. They are incredibly fast fliers, usually foraging at higher altitudes than most other swifts, coming lower only during overcast weather or rainfall.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Often observed in pairs or small family groups. They may occasionally join larger mixed-species foraging flocks of other swifts and swallows high in the air, but remain cohesive with their partner.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Diurnal aerial insectivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Strictly insectivorous, feeding on small winged insects caught entirely on the wing, such as flying ants, termites, small beetles, and true bugs (Hemiptera) that are swept up into thermals.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Both parents contribute equally to gathering material on the wing and constructing the long tubular nest, a process that can take many months. Due to the high investment in nest building, the structure is actively maintained and reused over multiple years.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
12.0 - 13.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
18 g - 24 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.2 - 3
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).No
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
10 - 12 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
23 - 26
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males4 - 7 Years
Females4 - 7 Years
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Extremely long, narrow wings and a deeply forked tail allow for precise, high-speed banking maneuvers in the open air to capture fast-flying insects.
Highly developed salivary glands that produce a sticky, cement-like saliva used to bond airborne plant fibers and seeds together into a sturdy, free-hanging structure.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Widespread use of aerial pesticides in agriculture, which drastically reduces the abundance of aerial plankton (flying insects) that the species relies on.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Their nests are marvels of bird architecture; they build a large, felted vertical sleeve up to 60 cm long that hangs from a surface, featuring a false entrance at the bottom to confuse predators, while the real entrance sits safely higher up inside.