Gray-rumped Treeswift / Layang-layang Berjambul Kelabu


Treeswifts are a family of birds closely related to the true swifts.  Unlike true swifts, they have a non reversible hind toe, which is used for perching on branches.  (True swifts cannot perch.)  Other differences from true swifts include softer plumage, crests or facial ornaments and long forked tails. Like true swifts, they feed on insects, although exact details of the prey taken is unknown. Ttreeswifts often forage in the air in the company of swallows and swiftlets.  They can also wait patiently perched on an exposed branch to hunt by sallying.

Perched treeswifts have a very recognisable silhouette; the wing tips cross over the tail. 


The gray-rumped treeswift is found in from Thailand to Indonesia and, due to its extensive range, is listed as an IUCN ‘least concern’ species.  However information about the population trend is limited.   Whereas the other  treeswift species are adapted to a particular type of forest, grey-rumped treeswifts  make use of many different forests from mangroves at sea level to lowland wet forest to hill forests up to 1550 m asl. 

A half-saucer nest is attached only on one side to the branch. The nest is made from hardened saliva together with feathers, moss and tree bark. Both male and female incubate the egg. During the shifting of parental care, the partner perches near the incubating adult and carefully slides over the nest.

(Information sourced from Wikipedia and eBird. My own photographs.)

Video:  https://youtu.be/Fno8RgUVLgQ

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