Breeding biology of the Sooty Swift (Cypseloides fumigatus) in São Paulo, Brazil

ABSTRACT The Sooty Swift (Cypseloides fumigatus) is one of five species in this genus that occur in Brazil. There is little information regarding its breeding biology and in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, the species is described as data deficient. This study describes the breeding biology of the Sooty Swift at Intervales State Park in Sao Paulo, southern Brazil from 2012 to 2014. Nests were monitored weekly at two waterfalls during the reproductive season. Nest construction started in mid-October. Egg laying started in late October with a clutch size of one egg. The incubation period was 27–29 days, and the average nestling phase was 56 days. Fourteen active nests were found, and six nestlings were monitored from hatching to fledging for plumage development, behavior, and provisioning. Adult activity was observed during nocturnal visits. A second egg was laid on four occasions: two after the loss of the first egg and two after a successful fledgling left the nest, but the latter two were not successfu...