Grey-rumped Treeswift

Scientific Name: Hemiprocne longipennis
Malay Name: Layang-layang Berjambul Pinggul Pudar
Chinese Name: 灰腰雨燕

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, Pacific Swift, Asian Palm Swift

Habitat: Open habitat, parkland and forested area.

Local Status: Uncommon resident

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

Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

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

Photos:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

Reference:
Craig Robson (2011) A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia