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
Genus: Aerodramus; Family: Apodidae; Order: Apodiformes.
- Scientific name
- Aerodramus brevirostris
- Authority
- (Horsfield, 1840)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Apodidae
- Genus
- Aerodramus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Common Wood-Pigeon
Columba palumbus
Distinctive, large bulky gray pigeon with a pale neck patch (lacking on juvenile in late summer–autumn). Neck patch is large and white throughout majority of range, but birds in Azores, Madeira, and much of western Asia have smaller, tan-colored patches. Bold white wing band striking in flight; tail broadly tipped black. Inhabits wooded and semiopen habitats, including towns and gardens. Forms flocks, especially in winter. Often rather unaware, and frequently crashes noisily and clumsily out of hedges and bushes. Display flight consists of a flap-flap-flap climb followed by a descending glide. Gives a low, throaty series of coos: “hrrruu-hoo-who-who.”
Elfin Myzomela
Myzomela adolphinae
A tiny honeyeater of mid-montane forest canopy and villages. Brown with a whitish belly and fairly short curved bill. Female has just a reddish smudge in the base of the bill and male a scarlet hood and rump with black wings and back. Male is unmistakable. Female is similar to other species, but smaller and only has red on the chin. Similar size to a flowerpecker, but Elfin has a longer, more curved bill. Song, a whistled “chew chew-daloo” and call a simple “tsip”.
Indian Gray Hornbill
Ocyceros birostris
A small, grayish-brown hornbill with a pale brow, an obvious casque above the bill (larger in males), and a dual-toned black-and-yellow bill. In flight, note the pale edges on the wings and tail, as well as long central tail feathers. When flying, beats its wings rapidly followed by a short glide. Prefers open woodlands, plantations, gardens, and parks in cities where it feeds on large, fruiting trees. Usually seen in pairs or small groups. The calls include a series of short “kek-kek-kek” notes given in flight and a squealing, hawklike high-pitched “kieeeeu” when perched.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.