Fork-tailed Palm Swift

The Fork-tailed Palm Swift is a slender, aerial insectivore found year-round in Ecuador’s eastern lowlands, where it is closely tied to palm-rich habitats such as riparian forests, palm swamps, and savannas below 1,000 meters. Though often overlooked due to its fast, high-flying behavior, it is locally common and easily recognized by its deeply forked tail and crescent-shaped wings. Globally listed as Least Concern, its population appears stable thanks to its wide range and adaptability to both natural and human-altered landscapes. Remarkably, it constructs its nest by gluing feathers and plant material to the underside of palm fronds using sticky saliva—a specialized behavior that offers protection and reflects its intimate ecological bond with palm trees.