Tachornis

Swallow-tailed Swift ( Tachornis squamata )

Tachornis is a species of bird in the family of sailors ( Apodidae ). The genus includes three small to very small, distinctive species that are restricted to the Neotropical ecozone. The birds usually stay near palm trees and are therefore often observed in parks and gardens.

A fourth type, Tachornis uranoceles that was native to Puerto Rico, is extinct in the late Pleistocene.

Features

The body length of the two smaller species of Cuba and the Däumlingsseglers, is about 10 centimeters, while the tailed sailor is slightly larger with a body length of about 13 centimeters. The very rapid flight is quite discontinuous with constant changes of direction and is similar to the Cypsiurus species of the Old World.

The plumage of the upper side is brown, the color of the underside looks pale and blurry and shows a fairly extensive throat patch, which is also separated from the white belly by a darker breast band. The all species of the genus in the same way tapered wings are long and very narrow. The body is also very sleek and streamlined. The birds show a deep Schanz fork that the kurzschwänzigeren Cuba sailor is less clear, but still forked far deeper than the other sympatric sailors. The Tachornis types hold the tail often closed, this then acts very sharp, but the bifurcation can be seen in almost any perspective.

System

Originally Cuba, Tom Thumb and tailed sailor different genera were assigned to David Lack noticed the great similarity of these species in the breeding behavior and appearance and summarized them in a genus, which has since not been questioned.

The following types are attributed to the genus:

• Cuba Swift ( Tachornis phoenicobia )
• Däumlingssegler ( Tachornis furcata )
• Swallow-tailed Swift ( Tachornis squamata )
• † Tachornis uranoceles