Himalayan Swiftlet
Aerodramus brevirostris
Silhouette: Aviceda (vectorized by T. Michael Keesey) · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderApodiformes (Swifts and Hummingbirds)
- FamilyApodidae (Swifts)
- GenusAerodramus (Dark Swiftlets)
- SpeciesAerodramus brevirostris (Himalayan Swiftlet)
About the Himalayan Swiftlet
The Himalayan swiftlet (Aerodramus brevirostris) is a small swift. It is a common colonial breeder in the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. Some populations are migratory. This swiftlet was formerly placed in the genus Collocalia. Two of its five subspecies are frequently given full species status, A. b. rogersi as the Indochinese swiftlet, Aerodramus rogersi, and the isolated Javan form A. b. vulcanorum as the Volcano swiftlet, Aerodramus vulcanorum.
This 13–14 cm long swiftlet has swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. The body is slender, and the tail is forked. It is, in many respects, a typical swift, having narrow wings for fast flight, and a wide gape and small beak surrounded by bristles for catching insects in flight. Its legs are very short, preventing the bird from perching, but allowing it to cling to vertical surfaces.
It is mainly grey-brown above and paler brown below. It has a pale grey rump and a pale patch above and behind the bill. The sexes are similar, but the juvenile has a less distinct rump. There are five subspecies, differing mainly in the rump tone.
A. b. brevirostris breeds in the Himalayas east to Bangladesh, Myanmar... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Himalayan Swiftlet in Chitwan National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Chitwan National Park
House Swift
Apus nipalensis
Asian Palm-Swift
Cypsiurus balasiensis
White-rumped Needletail
Zoonavena sylvatica
Silver-backed Needletail
Hirundapus cochinchinensis
Alpine Swift
Tachymarptis melba
White-throated Needletail
Hirundapus caudacutus
Blyth's Swift
Apus leuconyx
Crested Treeswift
Hemiprocne coronata
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khao Yai National Park | 🇹🇭 Thailand | |
| 2 | Namdapha National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 3 | Khangchendzonga National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 4 | Langtang National Park | 🇳🇵 Nepal | |
| 5 | Royal Manas National Park | 🇧🇹 Bhutan | |
| 6 | Kaeng Krachan National Park | 🇹🇭 Thailand | |
| 7 | Doi Inthanon National Park | 🇹🇭 Thailand | |
| 8 | Jiuzhaigou National Park | 🇨🇳 China | |
| 9 | Jim Corbett National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 10 | Royal Bardia National Park | 🇳🇵 Nepal | |
| 11 | Chitwan National Park | 🇳🇵 Nepal | |
| 12 | Manas National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 13 | Kaziranga National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 14 | Taman Negara National Park | 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Himalayan Swiftlet in Chitwan National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Himalayan Swiftlet sighting in Chitwan National Park, based on 13 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Himalayan Swiftlet in Chitwan National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Himalayan Swiftlet in Chitwan National Park in our monthly data.