Scientific Name: Apus pacificus
Alternative Name: Fork-tailed Swift (old)
Malay Name: Lelayang-Cabang Biasa
Chinese Name: 白腰雨燕 (bái-yāo yǔ-yàn)
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: kurodae and pacificus.
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: Asian Palm Swift, House Swift, Grey-rumped Treeswift
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 (IUCN 3.1)
Location: Central Catchment Forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Punggol Barat, Kent Ridge, Tuas South, Pulau Ubin and Singapore Straits.
Photos:
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
