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Nesting of the Grey-rumped Treeswift

on 28th February 2014

Grey-rumped Treeswift (Hemiprocne longipennis) is a common resident in Singapore. At rest, it is easily recognised by the long wing tips crossing over the shorter forked tail (above). The male has rufous ear-coverts (above) while the female’s ear-coverts are blackish (below).

The nest is a half-saucer of hardened saliva that incorporates pieces of moss, bark flakes and body feathers, possibly from the treeswifts themselves. It is attached to the side of the slender tree branch.

Because the nest is frail and delicate, the adult treeswift does not sit directly on the nest to incubate the egg (above). Rather, it rests on the branch with its tarsus (foot) over the nest and the talons clutching the edge of the nest. In this way the brood patch is in contact with the egg (below).

Both adults help build the nest that measures 36 x 24 mm and 12 mm deep from the outside. A single white egg is laid, measuring 25.6 x 17.4 mm (Wells, 1999) and is stuck to the surface of the nest with the help of the bird’s saliva (Chantler, 2000) (below). Both adults share in the incubation of the egg that takes at least 50 days to hatch. Similarly, both adults help in brooding the chick.

Johnny Wee
Singapore
February 2014

References:
1.
Chantler, P. (2000). Swifts. A guide to the swifts and treeswifts of the world. New Haven & London: Yale University Press. (2nd ed.)
2. Wells, D. R., 1999. Family Hemiprocnidae (Tree-swifts). In del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 5. Barn-owls to hummingbirds. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 458-466.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

6 Responses

  1. Hello, Johnny, I am the Permissions Coordinator for the Cornell Handbook of Bird Biology. We would love to use one of these photos for the third edition of the Handbook! This textbook will be distributed internationally, and we think it will be an essential reference on birds and all aspects of their ecology. Would you please send me your email address so that I can forward you more details about the project? You may email me at . I hope to hear from you, as photos of a nesting treeswift are difficult to find, and the ones you have here are really wonderful.

    Kind regards, Myrah

    Myrah Bridwell
    Cornell Lab of Ornithology
    Cornell University
    Ithaca, New York USA

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