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
Garnet-throated Hummingbird
Lamprolaima rhami
Large, spectacular, and solidly built hummingbird of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forest in mountains; uncommon. Feeds at all levels on flowers and sometimes perches on prominent high twigs. Most striking feature is the bright rusty wings, which typically flash brightly as it hovers at flowers; also note the big white spot behind the eye. Male often looks blackish below; the pink throat rarely catches the light. Female is dusky grayish below.
White-bellied Seedsnipe
Attagis malouinus
Chunky, generally scarce, rather grouselike bird of bleak moorland, bogs, and rocky slopes above timberline; in winter, sometimes descends to lowland Patagonian steppe, when it can be seen along roadsides. Found in pairs or small groups. Lacey “chainmail” pattern to upperparts is beautifully cryptic, and birds sometimes freeze when alarmed making them more difficult to see. No similar species in range; note the short stout bill and contrasting snowy-white belly. Flight strong and fast; flushes with loud shrieking choruses.
Alpine Accentor
Prunella collaris
Stocky, stout, and unobtrusive bird of alpine regions above the treeline. Often seen shuffling around boulders in small groups. Distinctive dark wing panel bordered by pale spots forming two wingbars, particularly obvious in flight. Barred throat can be difficult to see but chestnut flanks with white streaks distinctive. Flight is strong and fast before diving behind rocks.
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