Crested treeswift
The Crested treeswift, belonging to the family Hemiprocnidae, is a distinctive bird species found in the woodlands of Southeast Asia. Notable for the tuft of feathers atop its head, which gives it its name, this bird can be distinguished from other swifts of the family Apodidae, who do not possess such crests. These birds typically measure between 9 to 10 inches (23 to 25 centimeters) in length and display soft gray or brown plumage on their wings, with white undersides. Males are particularly identifiable by their bright orange cheeks.
Crested treeswifts are primarily insectivores, adept at capturing flying insects while on the wing, thanks to their wide mouths. They are also monogamous, with both male and female partners involved in nurturing their young. Their nests, made from flimsy materials and held together by saliva, can only support a single egg, which the female incubates by balancing on either side. The breeding season occurs from March to July, and after an incubation period of around 21 days, the chicks hatch dependent on their parents for nourishment. Overall, the Crested treeswift is a fascinating example of avian adaptation and behavior in its unique Southeast Asian habitat.
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Crested treeswift
Crested treeswifts, of the family Hemiprocnidae, are closely related to the swifts of the family Apodidae. The two families differ in their appearance and their habitat. This species of treeswifts were given the name crested for the tufts of feathers which peak on the tops of their heads. Swifts of the Apodidae family do not have these crests.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Hemiprocnidae
Genus: Hemiprocne
Species: Coronata
Crested treeswifts live in the woodlands of Southeast Asia. They are often seen flying over the trees or roosting along the branches. Crested treeswifts also breed and roost along the walls of churches and other buildings. Like other swifts, crested treeswifts are known for the darting and twisting moves they make when flying. Although they often rest on tree branches or along the walls of buildings, they rarely land on the ground.
Adult crested treeswifts reach a body length of nine to 10 inches (23 to 25 centimeters). They are soft gray or brown on the tops of their wings with white underneath. Both males and females have white stripes on the sides of their heads, below their eyes, and crests of upright feathers on their crowns. Males, though, are distinguished by bright orange cheeks. Crested treeswifts have short legs, but strong feet. They use their feet to grasp steep surfaces when roosting or mating.
Crested treeswifts are insectivores, which means they feed mainly on a diet of flying insects. Although their beaks are short and weak, their mouths are very large. Like members of the Apodidae family, crested treeswifts are well suited for eating while flying. With their wide mouths, crested swifts are able to capture large amounts of insects in the air. They usually leave their perches on tree branches to capture their prey and then return to their perches to eat.
Crested treeswifts are monogamous birds, meaning the male and female mate exclusively and both birds are involved in parental care of their young. During the mating season, crested treeswifts build fragile, or easily breakable, paper-thin nests. These nests are usually constructed on thin tree branches and held in place by bird saliva, or spit. Each of these fragile structures is generally only strong enough to hold one egg. This small, white egg is laid by the female and sticks to the nests by the sticky saliva. Unlike most birds, the female crested treeswift cannot sit on her egg during its incubation period, or time of growth. Since her nest is too weak to support her body weight, the female has to stand on either side of the nest with her body over the egg to incubate, or warm, it during its time of growth. After an incubation period of around 21 days, the young hatches. The exact length of nestling period is unknown. During the nestling period, the young is unable to fly and is totally dependent upon its parents for food. Food is brought to it in the form of "boluses." A bolus is a gob of insects that one of the parents had stored in its throat. The breeding season is during the hottest time of the year, from March to July.
The life span of crested treeswifts is not known.
Bibliography
Camfield, Alaine. “Hemiprocnidae (Crested Swifts).” Animal Diversity Web, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hemiprocnidae/. Accessed 13 Apr. 2024.
“Hemiprocne Coronata, Crested Treeswift.” Thai National Parks, www.thainationalparks.com/species/crested-treeswift. Accessed 13 Apr. 2024.
Kumar, Raman. “Crested Treeswift.” Animalia, animalia.bio/crested-treeswift. Accessed 13 Apr. 2024.