White-throated Swift

SCI Name:  Aeronautes saxatalis
Protonym:  Acanthylis saxatalis Rep.Exped.ZuniColoradoRivers[Sitgreaves] p.64
Taxonomy:  Caprimulgiformes / Apodidae / Aeronautes
Taxonomy Code:  whtswi
Type Locality:  Inscription Rock, New Mexico.
Author:  Woodhouse
Publish Year:  1853
IUCN Status:  Least Concern

DEFINITIONS

AERONAUTES
(Apodidae; Ϯ White-throated Swift A. saxatilis) Gr. αηρ aēr, αερος aeros  air; ναυτης nautēs  sailor  < ναυς naus, νεως neōs  ship; "a. Toes all directed forward at equal intervals from each other; generally larger birds with very strong feet.  ...  b'. Toes feathered.   a". Tail only emarginate, outer rectrices not sharply pointed; feathers of the breast round and full . . . . . . 2. AËRONAUTES, p. 459.   ...   2. AËRONAUTES.   If Panyptila is admitted as a distinct genus, it becomes necessary to establish a new genus for P. melanoleuca.  The structure of the plumage and the shape of the tail are so totally different, that it cannot be associated with Panyptila.  Little is known about its nidification, but from the notes published it is evident that it does not build such a peculiar nest as the species of Panyptila do." (Hartert 1892); "Aëronautes Hartert, Cat. Bds. Brit.Mus., 16, 1892, p. 436 (in key), p. 459. Type, by monotypy, Cypselus melanoleucus Baird = Acanthylis saxatilis Woodhouse." (Peters 1940, IV, p. 252).
Synon. Duidia.

saxatalis
L. saxum, saxi  rock; talis  such, great.
● Inscription Rock, New Mexico Territory; "The Rock Swift, or Spine-tail.  ...This beautiful swift I saw whilst encamped at Inscription Rock, New Mexico. Being on the top of this high rock at the time without my gun, I was unable to procure specimens. I had a fair view of the birds at this time, as they flew close by me. I descended immediately and procured my gun; but the birds by this time flew too high for me to be able to procure a shot at them" (Woodhouse 1853) (Aeronautes).

SUBSPECIES

White-throated Swift (saxatalis)
SCI Name: Aeronautes saxatalis saxatalis
saxatalis
L. saxum, saxi  rock; talis  such, great.
● Inscription Rock, New Mexico Territory; "The Rock Swift, or Spine-tail.  ...This beautiful swift I saw whilst encamped at Inscription Rock, New Mexico. Being on the top of this high rock at the time without my gun, I was unable to procure specimens. I had a fair view of the birds at this time, as they flew close by me. I descended immediately and procured my gun; but the birds by this time flew too high for me to be able to procure a shot at them" (Woodhouse 1853) (Aeronautes).

White-throated Swift (nigrior)
SCI Name: Aeronautes saxatalis nigrior
nigrior
L. nigrior, nigrioris  blacker  < comp. niger  black.