Image via Macaulay Library
Great Dusky Swift
- Scientific name
- Cypseloides senex
- Family
- Apodidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Urban suburban
- Wing shape
- Pointed
- Tail shape
- Forked
Where it came from
The Great Dusky Swift (Cypseloides senex) is a member of the swift family Apodidae, primarily inhabiting the subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests of South America. It was scientifically described by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1826. The species is notably adapted to life near waterfalls, where it frequently nests behind cascading water in damp rock crevices, an evolutionary strategy that provides security from terrestrial predators.
The physical design of this bird is a striking example of avian specialization for high-speed aerial maneuverability. Its long, pointed wings and deeply forked tail are structural hallmarks of the genus, allowing it to maintain sustained flight and make precise turns while foraging for insects on the wing. Ornithologists often highlight the species' somber, dusky-gray plumage as a functional adaptation that offers camouflage against the wet, shadowy cliff faces and cavern walls that define its nesting environment.
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About Great Dusky Swift
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