Moluccan Swiftlet

A typical uniformly grayish-brown petrel with pale mottling at the base of the bill that gives it a somewhat “frosted” facial appearance. Pale bar along the leading edge of the underwing between the body and elbow is evident in flight. Highly pelagic, visiting land only to nest. Similar to Kermadec Petrel, but lacks the white primary shafts in the upperwing of that species and is overall more uniformly colored. Providence Petrel is similar but appears much heavier-chested and paler-faced, with more extensively mottled gray-brown tones across the body. Herald Petrel is very similar, but has much more contrasting dark-and-light underwing pattern. Henderson Petrel is silent at sea.

Males are spectacular with a very long black forked tail with white inner edges. Otherwise rather uniformly dark-brown above with gray and buff patches. Barred brown below with a large rufous neck patch. Females have a short, dark tail. Uncommon; found in humid forests, second growth, and forest borders.

Small, slender bird with thin curved bill, found in wetter forested areas, parks, and gardens of southwestern Western Australia. Adult has distinctive complex head and throat pattern, with a thin dark chest band. Young bird plain buff-colored below, brown above. Note white corners in tail, sometimes obvious in flight. An active and fast forager, darting around quickly between flowering trees. Call is a loud, repeated piping.