Swiftlet from Kinabalu, Malaysia (1 Viewer)

[orientaldkf]

Hi all, took this bird at the entrance to Kinabalu Park in Malaysia. I spotted it flying alone, quite high up in the air and my first impression in the field was that it looked larger/longer-winged than typical Aerodramus swiftlets and thought I had a Giant Swiftlet - but I'm not too sure after looking at the photos again at home.

Appreciate any help, thanks!

 

[Andy Adcock]

In my day, almost 25years ago, we ticked these as Germain's, now called Plume-toed but many of these birds are ticked on range by most birders, considered unidentifiable, outside of the hand.

Giant has a forked tail though I think which this bird doesn't, it doesn't give the impression of being that big either?

 

[James Eaton]

Given the lack of tail notch on the closed tail, I would say it's an Aerodramus. I really struggle to identify Giant Swiftlet from photos, as for me, it's flight action and size rather than plumage features when I see them in the field. I would add, your bird doesn't long long enough at the rear (think half way between Aerodramus and Palm Swift).

The vast majority of the time I've seen them at Mount Kinabalu is ahead of a rain front too, pushing them lower, in flocks, passing by for 1-2 minutes before clearing off.

Andy - Germain's is an Aerodramus, Plume-toed is a Collocalia - think you're getting mixed up with Glossy Swiftlet which is now Plume-toed (25 years ago it would have been called Glossy). Germain's is still known as Germain's by some quarters, or part of Edible-nest Swiftlet, though Germain's itself is not found on Mount Kinabalu - it's a coastal taxon on Borneo.

James