São Tomé spinetail
Species of bird
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The São Tomé spinetail (Zoonavena thomensis) is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. It is endemic to São Tomé and Príncipe, occurring in both São Tomé and Príncipe Islands.[2] The species was described by Ernst Hartert on 1900.
| São Tomé spinetail | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Strisores |
| Order: | Apodiformes |
| Family: | Apodidae |
| Genus: | Zoonavena |
| Species: | Z. thomensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Zoonavena thomensis (Hartert, 1900) | |
Habitat
The São Tomé spinetail is resident, occupying primary and secondary forests as well as cultivated areas and plantations, from the lowlands to 1500 m in altitude.[3]
Behaviour
The São Tomé spinetail captures small insects in flight, foraging in small flocks of 8 to 10 individuals. The species nests on the sides of hollow trees, constructing open, cupped nests. Breeding seemingly takes place between August and October, and females lay between 2 and 4 eggs. The species does not form breeding colonies, with each pair being solitary.[3]
