Grey-rumped treeswift

The grey-rumped treeswift (Hemiprocne longipennis) is a species of bird in the Hemiprocnidae family. There are currently four extant species in the family. Like the other members of Hemiprocnidae, this species is closely related to true swifts as well. However, unlike true swifts, the treeswifts are arboreal in nature, often seen perched on trees, high tension power transmission lines and on pylons. When perched, the wing tips cross over the tail. This species is commonly found in peninsular Malaysia but has an extremely large range with limited information about the population trend,.[1][2]

Grey-rumped treeswift

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Hemiprocnidae
Genus: Hemiprocne
Species:
H. longipennis
Binomial name
Hemiprocne longipennis
(Rafinesque, 1802)

Description

Adult male with a distinct dark grey throat and chest contrasting with a white belly. Ear coverts are dull orange red/chestnut colored. Adult female lacks the dull orange red/chestnut coloration on the ear coverts. When perched the wing tips cross over across the tail. Both sexes have a greenish sheen to the upper parts.[2]

Distribution

It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests[2]

Ecology and Behaviour

The birds occasionally catch insects in flight by sallying from perches. They build nests on tree branches. The half-saucer shaped nest is made from hardened saliva interspersed with feathers, mosses and/ or flakes of tree bark. The single egg is reportedly attached to nest surface with saliva. Owing to the fragile nature of the nest, it is attached only on one side to the branch. Thus, the bird does not sit directly on the nest for incubation.[3] Similarly, it is also reported that the parent birds brooded by perching on the branch above the nest and fluffing their breast feathers out to cover it.[4]

Grey-rumped treeswift at Manado, North Sulawesi

Both sexes help incubate the egg. During the shifting of parental care, the partner perches near the incubating adult and carefully slides over the nest.[5]

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References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Hemiprocne longipennis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Jeyarajasingam. A. and Pearson. A. 2012. A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University press
  3. Chantler, P. (2000). Swifts. A guide to the swifts and treeswifts of the world. New Haven & London: Yale University Press. (2nd ed.)
  4. Gibson-Hill, C. A. (1950). A note on the Crested Tree-swift. Malayan Nature Journal, 5: 5-8.
  5. ^http://www.besgroup.org/2007/07/30/nesting-of-grey-rumped-treeswift/
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