Nests of 3 species of swifts were monitored at Parque Nacional Yacambú in the Venezuelan Andes from 2003 to 2008. We focused on 25 nests of the little-known Spot-fronted Swift (Cypseloides cherriei), herein reported in 2 new localities for Venezuela. We compared life history traits with those of the more studied and widespread Chestnut-collared (Streptoprocne rutila; 35 nests) and White-collared (S. zonaris; 4 nests) swifts. Spot-fronted Swift had a clutch size of 1 egg (3.58 g) and an egg:adult mass proportion of 15.6% with an incubation period of 36 d, longer than the 29 d reported in Costa Rica. Chestnut-collared Swift had a clutch size (1.83), incubation (25 d) and nestling (35–41 d) periods similar to those in Costa Rica. Estimated growth rate constants for mass, tarsus, and wing chord for the latter were very slow. White-collared Swift had a clutch size of 2 and its observed incubation (39 d) and nestling (66+ d) periods were longer than those reported for Costa Rica and Argentina. Breeding traits of these 3 species differed significantly considering their relatedness and co-occurrence. Breeding data of most Cypseloidinae swifts along the latitudinal gradient were reviewed to facilitate intraspecific and interspecific comparisons of these elusive species, as well as to identify gaps in current knowledge.

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