Swift-Swiftlet 8/12 - Germain's Swiftlet (Record 580/688)

I always thought this Swiftlet is a migrant bird but actually common resident There are several subspecies of this bird depending on the color texture of its rump and bottom body. The rump with paler gray whitish feathers with blackish shaft streaking is its main id. The wing line is very straight at its wing end primaries. Size wise its about 11-12cm is small amongst the other swiftlets names migrant Himalayan and Waterfall Swiftlet which I hope to see next

I was never good in BIF shooting This time with my buddies guiding me my I set my Fuji XT5  to all focus point and limited focusing distance to infinity ; then setting to at least 1/2000-4000 speed max multi frame speed  I manage some decent  handheld shots. Sometime I envy two buddies who were shooting with Nikon Z series where shooting BIF with ease.....Should I change system.

 Its habitat is all terrain whether it is forest or agri land  towards open land like in Rompin over swamp flats and scrub land, sea isle upto 1300 asl.

Next target Swiftlet that I wish to see is the Waterfall Swift; Glossy Swiftlet with its bat like flight and the migrant Himalayan Swiftlet &Fork-tailed Swift

SWIFTLET (6/9)- Black-nest Swiftlet (Lifer 575/688)

Shooting from the Canopy walk you can see this Swiftlet year round. I was never good in BIF shots. Even at 1/4000 or 8000 I still get soft shoot like above. Nevertheless a lifer .Narrated as a small dark Aerodramus swiftlet that is nearly impossible to distinguish from closely-related species such as Mossy-nest and White-nest Swiftlets. Dark above and paler gray below; rump varies from dirty white to dark depending on subspecies. Tail averages more squared-off and less prominently forked than White-nest and Germain’s swiftlets, but best identified when on feather-and-saliva nests, which are dark, as the name suggests. Nests in large colonies in caves, often with other species of swiftlet. Chitters at nest, but usually fairly quiet. Need to find their roosting cave to get better pictures lol.

SWIFTLET 5/7 - House Swiftlet

 Calling Sifu Tou...............

A pair of swiftlets in my residence carpark in Kl. It used to be a clayish mud nest but this time round it is made from straws and feathers. The whitish rump is the give away of a Germain's Swiftlet as compared to the Edible-nest Swiftlet.

They will only rest after dusk and afternoon if not they will be sallying around for insects.

SWIFTLET 4/7 - White-bellied Swiftlet

 It is also called the Glossy Swiftlets which I posted already. This colony is in Colmar Resort Bukit Tinggi in the carpark ramp. They make a mess of the place and the shit is piling. No maintenance cleaning le. 

Thier nest is not edible so do not harvest them Saw some visitors trying to do just that .

SWIFTLET 3/7 - Mossy Nest Swiftlet

Found in caves of Borneo. Living amongst the bats in Deer cave Mulu. A very tiny bird. Looking at its nest built on the limestone ridges of the cave wall.

SWIFTLET 1/7 - Asian Palm Swiftlet

 The Asian Palm Swift is a small swift. It is very similar to the African Palm Swift, and was formerly considered to be the same species. It is a common resident breeder in tropical Asia from India to the Philippines. This is a bird of open country and cultivation, which is strongly associated with Oil Palms. No wonder in Malaysia there are aplenty.

This 13cm long species is mainly pale brown in colour. It has long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. The body is slender, and the tail is long and deeply forke, although it is usually held closed. The call is a loud shrill scream. Sexes are similar, and young birds differ mainly their shorter tails. Asian Palm Swift has very short legs which it uses only for clinging to vertical surfaces, since swifts never settle voluntarily on the ground. The down and feather nest is glued to the underside of a palm leaf with saliva, which is also used to secure the usually two or three eggs.

These swifts spend most of their lives in the air, living on the insects they catch in their beaks. Asian Palm Swifts often feed near the ground, and they drink on the wing.

SWIFTLET 2/7 - Edible-Nest Swiftlet

 Argh the Edible Nest Swiflet. This is actually in Puri Hotel in Melaka heritage row. You can see the translucent nesting made from the birds saliva savored by Asians.

The Hotel leave them be and place galvanised pan below to prevent a mess on their floor and picture frame. You can just walk in to see them the next time you are at Jonker Street area.