Hemiprocne coronata
The Crested Treeswift, *Hemiprocne coronata*, is an elegant aerial insectivore, instantly recognizable by its prominent, often erect, crest and deeply forked tail, making it distinct from true swifts. Measuring 17-21 cm (6.7-8.3 inches) in length and weighing 19-27 grams (0.7-1 oz), adults display iridescent blue-green to bronzy-green upperparts, contrasting with clean white underparts and a distinctive white supercilium. Males are further distinguished by striking chestnut ear-coverts, while...
Found in open deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, forest edges, cultivated lands, and plantations, from lowlands up to approximately 1400 meters in elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of aerial insects such as beetles, flies, bugs, termites, and moths, caught on the wing through expert aerial hawking.
Crested Treeswifts are diurnal and highly aerial, spending much of their day hawking for insects, but unlike true swifts, they regularly perch upright on exposed branches of tall trees, often communally, especially during roosting. Their foraging strategy involves swift, acrobatic flights, circli...
The Crested Treeswift is a widespread resident across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. Its breeding range extends from India and Sri Lanka eastward through Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Within this extensive range, they are largely ...
Least Concern
- The Crested Treeswift builds one of the smallest nests relative to its body size among all birds, barely larger than the single egg it holds. - Unlike true swifts, which can only cling to vertical surfaces, treeswifts possess strong feet and can perch upright on horizontal branches. - Their uni...