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.

Featured articles:

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Female Grey-rumped Treeswift incubating egg at Mandai. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Juvenile Grey-rumped Treeswift at Mandai. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Juvenile Grey-rumped Treeswift at Mandai. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Male Grey-rumped Treeswift incubating egg at Mandai. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Male Grey-rumped Treeswift at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Female Grey-rumped Treeswift at Mandai. Photo credit:F rancis Yap

Male Grey-rumped Treeswift at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap