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Swiftlet on Nest, Sumatra (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JLS
- Start date
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
The obvious one, based on nest construction would be 'Mossy' Nest Swiftlet?
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A
I don't think that is very likely, it should not occur there according to the birdlife distribution map. The most commonly reported swiftlet from there seems to be Cave swiftlet, but I don't have any book/fieldguide that describes the nests. From the pictures on the internet I'd say it's possible, but I'm really not sure...
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
See this page
'probably, Sumatra'
https://www.hbw.com/species/mossy-nest-swiftlet-aerodramus-salangana
There is almost certainly, a lot we don't know about Swiftlets.
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'probably, Sumatra'
https://www.hbw.com/species/mossy-nest-swiftlet-aerodramus-salangana
There is almost certainly, a lot we don't know about Swiftlets.
A
johnallcock
Well-known member
I think Cave or Glossy Swiftlet (I'm not clear what the distribution of these is) is a possibility. It looks quite dark above and pale below. The moss in the nest may not be a problem, as there are pictures of Glossy nests constructed using moss: http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_Image_ID=57981&Bird_ID=568&Bird_Family_ID=&Location=
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
Could also be that the moss is very fresh so more visible but we also assume, that images are all correctly ID'd which is far from guaranteed on Google!
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Last edited:
Bryon Wright
Well-known member
Hi all,
think this is the more widespread, glossy swiftlet. This is the bird that probably embraces at least, Northern Sumatra, The Peninsula and most of Borneo. The problem is, that this more widespread type fractures into many other described forms. In any case these forms are not directly related to Mossy, and the issue we have here. Mossy-nest generally produces a neater "glass slipper" nest but it does contain impurities like moss and other detritus. The deeply glossed blue bird in the OP, is typical of esculenta and it's more untidy nest. One needs to examine the feet closely to be absolutely sure. A lot of the older field guides illustrate to my eye the dark and truly white Pacific form from the days when they were all as one. Surely though in some field conditions even the widespread form can look very whitish underneath in the ephemeral way of these birds. I know some of my observations are deeply flawed however because apart from the odd stab at Himalayan Swift, I can usually only recognise, glossy, ENS and BNS away from the nesting caves.
think this is the more widespread, glossy swiftlet. This is the bird that probably embraces at least, Northern Sumatra, The Peninsula and most of Borneo. The problem is, that this more widespread type fractures into many other described forms. In any case these forms are not directly related to Mossy, and the issue we have here. Mossy-nest generally produces a neater "glass slipper" nest but it does contain impurities like moss and other detritus. The deeply glossed blue bird in the OP, is typical of esculenta and it's more untidy nest. One needs to examine the feet closely to be absolutely sure. A lot of the older field guides illustrate to my eye the dark and truly white Pacific form from the days when they were all as one. Surely though in some field conditions even the widespread form can look very whitish underneath in the ephemeral way of these birds. I know some of my observations are deeply flawed however because apart from the odd stab at Himalayan Swift, I can usually only recognise, glossy, ENS and BNS away from the nesting caves.
James Eaton
Trent Valley Crew
White belly = Plume-toed (what was Glossy) Swiftlet. Bukit Lawang is relatively low, so Linchi (Cave) Swiftlet can be discounted by probability as it only occurs, on current knowledge, in the mountains of Sumatra.
James
James
