Asian Palm Swift
Cypsiurus balasiensis
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="cypsiurus-balasiensis"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/cypsiurus-balasiensis/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/cypsiurus-balasiensis/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/cypsiurus-balasiensis/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="cypsiurus-balasiensis"></birdfyi-bird>The Asian Palm Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis) is a bird species in the family Apodidae (swifts), within the order Caprimulgiformes (nightjars & swifts). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 22.9 cm and a weight of 8.8 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
On this page
About
A slender swift (13 cm) widespread across South and Southeast Asia from India to the Philippines and Indonesia. Dark brown plumage with a deeply forked tail. Aerial insectivore, closely associated with palm trees, nesting on the underside of palm leaves. Abundant in tropical lowlands.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 22.9 cm | 9.0 in |
| Weight | 8.833333333333334 g | 0.31 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Very slender; pale greyish-brown overall; paler below; extremely long deeply forked tail; tiny for a swift; South and Southeast Asian palm-nesting species; uniform pale brownish-grey coloration similar to African relative but smaller.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found from India and Sri Lanka east through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia. Common resident in open areas near palms.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on aerial plankton of tiny insects and spiders; entire diet captured during non-stop aerial foraging.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: HC. Incubation: 18 days. Fledging: 28 days.
Clutch Size
1-3
Sound
Song
High, wavering whistle with slightly nasal quality; gently pulsed notes trembling upward, characteristic of evening flight calls.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Cypsiurus |
| Species | Cypsiurus balasiensis |
Distribution
Asian Palm Swift has been recorded in 1 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Asian Palm Swift eat?
Where does the Asian Palm Swift live?
Is the Asian Palm Swift endangered?
How does the Asian Palm Swift nest?
What does the Asian Palm Swift sound like?
How big is the Asian Palm Swift?
What order and family does the Asian Palm Swift belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family