This small swift is listed as ranging in Venezuela. Its taxonomic distinction from related swifts has a debated history, and detailed behavioral records are limited.
Compared with Vaux's Swift, it has stronger throat contrast and sooty-brown plumage from the upper breast to the belly. Its undertail coverts are paler grey-brown than the belly.
The species account lists aerial invertebrates as its food. Chaetura swifts are highly aerial, but detailed behavior and nesting records for this species remain limited.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.