Grey-rumped Treeswift

Grey-rumped Treeswift

Scientific Name: Hemiprocne longipennis

Malay Name: Layang-layang Berjambul Pinggul Pudar

Chinese Name: 灰腰凤头雨燕

Range: Found from Southern Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore to Indonesia.

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: harterti, perlonga, longipennis, wallacii.

Local Subspecies: harterti

Size: 18-21.5 cm

Identification: A rather big swift-like bird with dark glossy greenish crown, nape and mantle, blackish lores, greyish throat, whitish underparts. Tail-tip falls short of primary wing tips when perched. In flight, greyish back and rump contrast with dark mantle and has contrasting blackish underwing coverts. Male has chestnut ear-coverts while female has blackish ear-coverts.

Similar looking species: Whiskered Treeswift, Asian Palm Swift, Pacific Swift

Habitat: Open habitat, parkland and forested area.

Behaviour/Ecology: Feed on small insects taken in flight. Usually perch high up on tree.

Local Status: Uncommon resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2022)

Location: Central Catchment Forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Bukit Batok Nature Park, Bidadari, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Kent Ridge Park and Bishan Park.

References:

BirdLife International. (2022). Hemiprocne longipennis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T22686894A169942795.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

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