Whiskered Treeswift
Hemiprocne comata
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<birdfyi-bird slug="hemiprocne-comata"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small treeswift (15-16 cm) with prominent white facial whiskers and a deeply forked tail. Dark plumage with metallic green sheen. Found in lowland and montane forests of Southeast Asia. Aerial insectivore, perching delicately on thin branches in the forest canopy.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 25.8 cm | 10.2 in |
| Weight | 21.05 g | 0.74 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Tiny treeswift; males glossy blue-black above; bold white supercilium and white postocular stripe resemble whiskers; chestnut ear patch; underparts white; females similar minus chestnut; smallest treeswift with striking facial contrast.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found from the Thai-Malay Peninsula south through Sumatra, Borneo, and the Philippines. Resident in lowland and hill forest up to 1,000 m.
Diet & Feeding
Aerial insectivore launching from a treetop perch to hawk flies, beetles, and small flying insects; more perch-bound than true swifts.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SA. Incubation: 21 days. Fledging: 28 days.
Clutch Size
1
Sound
Song
Sharp, high-pitched 'kik-kik'; thin metallic calls; smaller size produces higher, thinner calls than other treeswifts; calls from Borneo canopy; rapid repetition when alarmed
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Hemiprocnidae |
| Genus | Hemiprocne |
| Species | Hemiprocne comata |
Distribution
Whiskered Treeswift has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Whiskered Treeswift eat?
Where does the Whiskered Treeswift live?
Is the Whiskered Treeswift endangered?
How does the Whiskered Treeswift nest?
What does the Whiskered Treeswift sound like?
How big is the Whiskered Treeswift?
What order and family does the Whiskered Treeswift belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Hemiprocnidae family