{{short description|Species of bird}} {{Use American English|date=October 2022}}
{{speciesbox | name = Andean swift | image = Aeronautes andecolus 1847.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=Andean Swift ''Aeronautes andecolus'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T22686739A93124777 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22686739A93124777.en |access-date=7 October 2022}}</ref> | genus = Aeronautes | species = andecolus | authority = (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837) | range_map = Andean Swift ebird data map.png | range_map_caption = Global range{{leftlegend|#007F00|Year-Round Range|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#E0CF01|Summer Range|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#0080FF|Winter Range|outline=gray}} | synonyms = *''Micropus andecolus'' *''Apus andecolus'' | synonyms_ref = <ref name=SACClist>Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 24 July 2022. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved July 24, 2022</ref> }}
The '''Andean swift''' ('''''Aeronautes andecolus''''') is a species of bird in subfamily Apodinae of the swift family Apodidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.<ref name=IOC12.2>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/bow/swifts/ |title=Owlet-nightjars, treeswifts, swifts |website=IOC World Bird List |version =v 12.2 |editor-last1=Gill |editor-first1= F. |editor-last2=Donsker|editor-first2=D.|editor-last3=Rasmussen |editor-first3=P. |date=August 2022 |access-date=August 9, 2022 }}</ref><ref name=HBW2021>HBW and BirdLife International (2021) Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Version 6. Available at: http://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_Checklist_v6_Dec21.zip retrieved August 7, 2022</ref>
==Taxonomy and systematics==
The Andean swift was at one time placed in genus ''Micropus'' which was later merged into ''Aeronautes'', and also in genus ''Apus'' from which it was split.<ref name=SACClist/> Three subspecies are recognized, the nominate ''A. a. andecolus'', ''A. a. parvulus'', and ''A. a. peruvianus''.<ref name=IOC12.2/>
thumb|left|Andean swift flying ==Description==
The Andean swift is about {{convert|14|cm|in|abbr=on}} long. It has sharply pointed wings and a long deeply forked tail. The sexes are alike. Adults of the nominate subspecies have mostly black upperparts with a white collar and band on the rump. Their face and underparts are mostly white to off-white with mottled buff on the flanks and vent. Subspecies ''A. a. parvulus'' is smaller than the nominate and the borders between black and white areas are very sharply defined. ''A. a. peruvianus'' is also smaller than the nominate. Its tail is shorter and less deeply forked, its white plumage is purer, and it has darker undertail coverts.<ref name=ANSW-BOW>Chantler, P. and P. F. D. Boesman (2020). Andean Swift (''Aeronautes andecolus''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.andswi1.01 retrieved October 7, 2022</ref>
==Distribution and habitat==
Subspecies ''A. a. parvulus'' of the Andean swift is the northernmost; it is found on the western slope of the Andes from Peru's Cajamarca Department south into far northern Chile's Tarapacá Region. The nominate ''A. a. andecolus'' is found from central Bolivia south to Río Negro Province in west central Argentina. ''A. a. peruvianus'' is restricted to the east slope of the Andes in southeastern Peru.<ref name=ANSW-BOW/>
The Andean swift mostly inhabits semi-arid montane scrub landscapes though it is also found in both drier and more humid areas. It is occasionally seen over forested slopes. In elevation it mostly ranges between {{convert|2500|and|3550|m|ft|-2|abbr=on}} in Peru and Bolivia and between {{convert|2000|and|2500|m|ft|abbr=on}} in Argentina. It has been recorded above {{convert|4100|m|ft|abbr=on}} in Peru.<ref name=ANSW-BOW/>
==Behavior== ===Movement===
The Andean swift is a year-round resident throughout its range, though it may temporarily move to lower elevations to avoid snowstorms.<ref name=ANSW-BOW/>
===Feeding===
Like all swifts, the Andean is an aerial insectivore, but no details of its diet are known. It often forages in flocks with wintering chimney swifts (''Chaetura pelagica'').<ref name=ANSW-BOW/>
===Breeding===
Little is known about the Andean swift's breeding biology. It has been documented nesting in holes in steep rock faces, including behind waterfalls, but the nest itself has not been described.<ref name=ANSW-BOW/>
{{birdsong|url=https://xeno-canto.org/species/Aeronautes-andecolus |species=Andean swift}}
===Vocalization===
The Andean swift's most common vocalization is "a buzzy, grating 'tzee-tz-tz-trrr...tzee-tz-tz-tzee...'." It also makes "a series of single notes 'tzree..tzree..tzree...'."<ref name=ANSW-BOW/>
==Status==
The IUCN has assessed the Andean swift as being of Least Concern. It has a large range, and though its population size is not known it is believed to be stable. No immediate threats have been identified.<ref name=IUCN/> It is generally considered common, though uncommon in northern Chile and "local and irregular" in parts of Argentina.<ref name=ANSW-BOW/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.flickr.com/photos/27651543@N08/2573048492/ Photo]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q490476}}
Andean swift Category:Birds of the Andes Category:Birds of the Puna grassland Andean swift Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot