Pacific Swift

Scientific Name: Apus pacificus
Malay Name: Layang-layang Sabit Asia Timur
Chinese Name: 白腰雨燕
Alternative Name(s): Fork-tailed Swift (old)

Range:
Found from Siberia, China, Japan, Korea to Taiwan, wintering and passage migrant to Hong Kong, mainland Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Australia.

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: pacificus, kanoi.

Local Subspecies: pacificus

Size: 18-19.5 cm

Identification:
Brownish upperpart plumage, long sickle-shaped wings and sharply forked tail separate it from House Swift. Distinguished from the similar looking Asian Palm Swift by its larger size, whitish throat and diagnostic white-rump band.

Similar looking species: Grey-rumped Treeswift, Asian Palm Swift, House Swift, Common Swift

Habitat: Open habitat and forested areas.

Behaviour/Ecology: Feed on small insects egs. bees, wasps, termites, moths and flies taken in flight.

Local Status: Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)

Location: Central Catchment Forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Punggol Barat, Southern Ridges, Tuas South, Pulau Ubin and Singapore Straits.

Featured articles:

• Pelagic Bird Survey to the Horsburgh Lighthouse – 29 April 2017 (Trip Reports)
• Pelagic Bird Survey at the Singapore Strait – 15 October 2016 (Trip Reports)

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Pacific Swift at Henderson Waves. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Pacific Swift at Henderson Waves. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Pacific Swift at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Pacific Swift at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Pacific Swift at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Pacific Swift at Bukit Timah Summit. Photo credit: Francis Yap