Himalayan Swiftlet
Aerodramus brevirostris
Gray-brown swiftlet with a pale gray rump and a squared-off tail. The westernmost ranging species in the genus and the only member throughout much of its range. Smaller than most other swifts in range except for House Swift, which is black overall with a sharp white rump and throat. Tends to travel in small to medium-sized flocks, often swooping low over bodies of water. Builds dark bowl-shaped nests in closely-clustered colonies under rocky overhangs, in caves, and in old buildings. Gives clicking calls and twitters, especially when near colonies.
Identification
This 13–14 cm long swiftlet has swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. The body is slender, and the tail is forked. It is, in many respects, a typical swift, having narrow wings for fast flight, and a wide gape and small beak surrounded by bristles for catching insects in flight. Its legs are very short, preventing the bird from perching, but allowing it to cling to vertical surfaces.<p>It is mainly grey-brown above and paler brown below. It has a pale grey rump and a pale patch above and behind the bill. The sexes are similar, but the juvenile has a less distinct rump.<p>There are five subspecies, differing mainly in the rump tone. <p>Over much of its range, this is the only swift, but in the south of its breeding area and much of its wintering range it can be very difficult to distinguish this species from other Collocalia swiftlets.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Aerodramus brevirostris
- Authority
- (Horsfield, 1840)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Apodidae
- Genus
- Aerodramus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
This swiftlet is a highland species, with a preference for feeding open areas in forests, such as river valleys. A. b. brevirostris breeds up 4,500 m in Nepal and 2200m in central Bhutan, and the forms A. b. rogersi and A. b. inniminata occur up to 2200 m in Thailand.<p>The tiny cup nest is constructed by the male swift from thick saliva and some moss, and is attached to a vertical rock wall in a cave. Nests of this colonial swift may be touching. The clutch is two white eggs. This swiftlet is monogamous and both partners take part in caring for the nestlings.<p>The Himalayan swiftlet, like all swifts, is an aerial insectivore, leaving the cave during the day to forage, and returning to its roost at night. In the evening or bad weather, flocks may descend from the hills to feed over cultivated land. This gregarious species forms flocks typically of about 50 birds, but up to 300 have been recorded. Its flight is mainly gliding due to very long primary feathers and small breast muscles.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Beautiful turaco with a mostly white head, a black mark above the eye, dark blue wings and tail, and a green back and underparts. Like all turacos, shows large crimson wing patches in flight. Found in lush woodland and riverine forest. Acts like a typical turaco, bouncing through the trees and flying occasionally with short bursts of wingbeats and long glides. Call is a rising “whuup” followed by an accelerating series of gruff “krow” notes. Similar overall to other turacos, but easily separated by the white crest.
Gray-headed Bulbul
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Perpetually surprised-looking bulbul. Predominantly olive-yellow with a gray head, yellow forehead, and silvery rump and tail. Look for this species in wet forest and forest edge in lowland and foothill areas; gleans food from all levels of forest. Most common call is a loud buzzy “dzzzz!”
Red-kneed Dotterel
Erythrogonys cinctus
Attractive plover, but contrary to its name, it does not have red knees. Instead it has pinkish upper legs. Adult has solid black hood and white chin with a black breast-band and chestnut flank patch. Juvenile is gray with white underparts lacking the black or red. Fairly common resident around freshwater wetlands, where it often occurs in small flocks.
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