Breeding biology of the White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris in southeastern Brazil

Renata Neves Biancalana

doi:10.1007/bf03544271

Abstract

White-collared Swifts Streptoprocne zonaris are common throughout the tropical Americas. They usually breed in colonies in wet caves and next to waterfalls. Despite their widespread range, little is known about their breeding biology. Here I present data gathered from 2012 to 2014 at two breeding sites, Luminosa Cave and Agua Comprida waterfall, located within Intervales State Park, in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. More than 30 nests were found in the cave and one behind a waterfall. The egg-laying period began in late October and lasted until the first week of November. Nests were made mostly of bryophytes, with some fresh and dry leaves and sand. Eggs were dull white, and had an oval shape. Nestlings per nest varied from 1 to 3. The fledging period was between 41-51 days. This is the first record for this species of a successful nest with 3 nestlings. The species showed high nest site fidelity. Plumage development was similar to other species in the genus.

Highlights

The White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris is a common species with a wide range throughout the Americas, occurring from South Mexico to the southern Andean highlands (Chantler 1999)
Its range is well documented and the species is relatively common in this country, there is a lack of information on its breeding biology in Brazil and in South America, with few reliable records (Marín & Carrión 1994, De Luca et al 2009, Passeggi 2011)
The study was conducted between March 2012 and February 2014 at two sites, Luminosa Cave and Água Comprida waterfall, both located in Intervales State Park (ISP), municipality of Ribeirão Grande, São Paulo, Brazil (24o12' / 24o25'S and 48o03' / 48o30'W)

Summary

Introduction

The White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris is a common species with a wide range throughout the Americas, occurring from South Mexico to the southern Andean highlands (Chantler 1999). Like other swifts of the Cypseloidinae subfamily, White-collared Swifts breed near waterfalls, in canyons and wet caves in large colonies and show high nest site fidelity (Lack 1956, Rowley & Orr 1965, Whitacre 1989, Marín & Stiles 1992). They forage in large flocks, and it is common to see mixed groups with Biscutate Swifts, Streptoprocne biscutata, other Cypseloides and Chaetura spp., and Neotropical Palm Swifts, Tachornis squamata (Pichorim 2002, ChávezPortilla et al 2007, Pearman et al 2010). Its range is well documented and the species is relatively common in this country, there is a lack of information on its breeding biology in Brazil and in South America, with few reliable records (Marín & Carrión 1994, De Luca et al 2009, Passeggi 2011)

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