Swallow ? in Bhutan (1 Viewer)

[arthurgrosset]

I attach photos of birds that were seen in April near Deothang, Bhutan at about 1300 metres. Can anyone help me to identify them?

 

[David Caudwell]

I'm gonna go for Red-rumped Swallow. Striated Swallow is an outside contender (and would be a rare vagrant to Bhutan if it has ever occurred - not sure on this!). However, this bird lacks the lateral black markings to the sides of the rump & flanks which one would expect to see with these views on Striated.
Dave C

 

[rob stoff]

should be Red-rumped Swallow, a vagrant in Bhutan; hard to rule out Striated Swallow without a view of the nape but that has never been recorded at all as far as I know

Rob

 

[Dave B]

should be Red-rumped Swallow, a vagrant in Bhutan; hard to rule out Striated Swallow without a view of the nape but that has never been recorded at all as far as I know

Rob

In any case, the nape colour is not an altogether reliable indicator. Many migratory Red-rumped in Malaysia show a dark nape (such as this bird, initially identifed by me as Striated) seen in northern Peninsular Malaysia in March.

Dave

 

[rob stoff]

In any case, the nape colour is not an altogether reliable indicator. Many migratory Red-rumped in Malaysia show a dark nape (such as this bird, initially identifed by me as Striated) seen in northern Peninsular Malaysia in March.

Dave

not in conjunction with whitish underparts though?

Rob

 

[hannu]

I'd favor Red rumped too, similar bird as this one:
http://k41.pbase.com/o6/57/687157/1/73494526.ZQ7em79Z.RedrumpedSwallow_H2K5135.JPG
perhaps buff underwing coverts and the relative narrow dark streaks on the underparts favors identification as Red rumped

 

[arthurgrosset]

Thanks for everyone's input. Red-rumped Swallow seems to be the verdict.