The White-collared Swift, Streptoprocne zonaris, is a resident breeding bird with a complex range shown in the range map. It breeds in the mountains and foothills, but forages over a much larger area, including lowlands. White-collared Swift is large for a swift. It has a very slightly forked tail, which often appears square. The adults are black, glossed blue on the back, and have a white collar. This noisy swift has a screeching chee-yar! call, which may be given in chorus by a flock This is a highly gregarious species, with flocks of 100 or more birds, and often in company with other swift species. It has a powerful, fast and direct flight, and will ascend thermals to great heights.
This photo was taken in the foothills of the Andes east of Lima.