Blyth's Swift
Apus leuconyx
A large swift with long pointed wings and a long, deeply forked tail. It has black upperparts, tail, and wings, with a prominent white rump. Feathers of underparts broadly fringed with dirty white, and throat is whitish. Often difficult or nearly impossible to separate in the field from other similar “fork-tailed swifts,” but the white rump band is slightly thinner than that of Pacific Swift, while Salim Ali’s Swift has a slightly differently shaped white throat patch. This species is less blackish than Cook’s Swift, with a slightly wider rump band. Mostly sticks to hills while breeding, but disperses widely post-breeding and large flocks or loose individuals can be seen almost anywhere.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Apus leuconyx
- Authority
- (Blyth, 1845)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Apodidae
- Genus
- Apus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PAL, OR : mid to high altitudes in Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and ne India
- Non-breeding range
- some winter at lower altitudes in Nepal and peninsular India
Photos
Other Birds
Chestnut-flanked White-eye
Zosterops erythropleurus
The most migratory of the Asian white-eyes, this minute bird breeds in the boreal woodlands of far northeastern China and Russia and winters in southern China and northern Southeast Asia. Frequently migrates in immense flocks and can often be seen in gatherings of thousands on headlands and islands. Bright yellow-green upper body, white underparts, and striking white eye ring give this species the general white-eye look, but the broad brush-stroke of rufous on the flanks distinguishes it from similar species. Vocalizations consist largely of high, sweet, rising “sweee”s.
Wied's Tyrant-Manakin
Neopelma aurifrons
Nondescript manakin that may be mistaken for a flycatcher. Has an olive-green back, a grayish throat, and yellowish underparts. The yellow crown patch is typically concealed. Found in the interior of humid forests, occasionally venturing to the edges. A common call is a startled “yo-dee-wo-dee”. The similar Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin has a conspicuous yellow crown patch, occupies different edge habitats, and has a more complex song.
Goliath Coucal
Centropus goliath
An unmistakable massive black cuckoo with creamy-white wing patches that are visible both perched and in flight. Rare pale forms also occur that have pale heads and variable buff areas on their bodies. Juveniles similar to typical dark adults, but show chestnut on the underparts. The species is found in pairs or small groups within dense tangles in the understory of forest and in nearby thick undergrowth. Often detected by call, a series of deep, very low-pitched “boop” notes, descending toward the end. Also gives a very different, harsh, scraping “chow” call in alarm.
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