Grey-rumped Treeswift

Overview

The grey-rumped treeswift, Hemiprocne longipennis, is a species of bird in the Hemiprocnidae family that is closely related to true swifts but distinguished by its arboreal habits. Unlike true swifts, this species is often seen perched on trees, high-tension power lines, and pylons rather than flying continuously. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List despite having an extremely large range.

Identification

• Adult males exhibit a dark grey throat and chest that contrasts with a white belly, while females lack this distinct colouring.
• Males possess dull orange-red or chestnut-coloured ear coverts, a marking absent in females.
• Both sexes display a greenish sheen on the upper parts and, when perched, the wing tips cross over the tail.

Habitat

Found across Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, this species commonly inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, mangrove forests, and moist montane forests. It is notably common in peninsular Malaysia and frequently perches on trees, high-tension power transmission lines, and pylons.

Diet

The birds forage by sallying from perches to catch insects in flight.

Did you know?

Owing to the fragile nature of their half-saucer-shaped nests made from hardened saliva, feathers, mosses, and bark, the nests are attached to a branch on only one side. Consequently, the birds do not sit directly on the nest but instead perch above it to brood by fluffing their breast feathers out to cover the egg.