Soaring high above our mountain retreat, a sleek silhouette dances on the wind. This, my friends, is the Black Swift, a true aerial acrobat and resident of Costa Rica’s loftiest peaks. Often mistaken for a crow at first glance, a closer look reveals a bird built for unparalleled agility.

A Dash of Darkness

The Black Swift, as its name suggests, is almost entirely black. Its feathers have a subtle, glossy sheen, and some individuals might show faint pale speckling on their bellies and foreheads. Their long, pointed wings are sharply angled, giving them a distinct, almost scythe-like appearance in flight. Their tails are short and slightly forked, aiding in their maneuvers through the mountain air.

Masters of the Updraft

Unlike the swifts you might see darting around town, the Black Swift is a creature of the high mountains. They spend most of their lives airborne, feeding on tiny insects they catch in mid-air. Their wings are marvels of adaptation, with a slow, powerful beat that allows them to exploit updrafts and thermals, effortlessly riding the currents for hours on end. Watching a Black Swift effortlessly glide and bank on the wind currents is a mesmerizing display of avian mastery.

A Song in the Clouds

While not known for elaborate songs, Black Swifts do communicate with a series of high-pitched chatters and whistles. These calls often carry a slightly buzzy quality, distinct from the calls of other swifts found in Costa Rica.

Hidden Lives Revealed

Black Swifts are notoriously secretive when it comes to nesting. They prefer to raise their young behind waterfalls or in crevices on high cliffs, making their nests incredibly difficult to find. Recent studies have revealed that Costa Rica might be home to a subspecies of Black Swift, the Costa Rican Black Swift (Cypseloides niger costaricensis). This exciting discovery highlights the importance of further research into these fascinating birds.

A Glimpse of Greatness

Spotting a Black Swift can be a challenge, but their graceful acrobatics high above the mountains are a sight to behold. If you’re lucky enough to see one, take a moment to appreciate this master of the mountain skies, a creature perfectly adapted to a life spent dancing on the wind.

Next time, on Birds of the Costa Rican Retreat, we’ll explore the flashy world of the Resplendent Quetzal!

For more information, please view our comprehensive guide about the birds of Costa Rica

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