Animalia Life

Streptoprocne zonaris
SUBFAMILY
Cypseloidinae
TAXONOMY
Hirundo zonaris Shaw, 1796, no locality although assumed to be Brazil. Nine subspecies.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Cloud swift, Antillean cloud swift; French: Martinet à collier blanc; German: Halsbandsegler; Spanish: Vencejo Grande.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
8.5 in (22 cm); 3.2–4.0 oz (85.8–107.3 g). Blackish plumage and a distinctive white collar.
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread in Central and South America from northern Mexico south to southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina; also in Greater Antilles. Extralimital in California, Michigan, Texas, and Florida.
HABITAT
Occurs over all terrain and habitats from sea level to 13,000 ft (4,000 m) in highlands. More typical in highlands and less common in more arid regions.
BEHAVIOR
A seemingly very social species often occurring in large flocks of 100–300. Daily foraging flights appear to be lengthy.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Tends to specialize on swarming insects, particularly winged ants and termites; other insects also taken.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Nests of mossy material in dense colonies where conditions permit. Two eggs are laid; incubation takes 30–35 days and chicks are fledged after 45–55 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Inaccessibleness of most nest and roost sites makes them less subject to human activities. No conservation measures identified or proposed.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

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