Edible-nest Swiftlet vs Himalayan Swiftlet

Edible-nest Swiftlet

Aerodramus fuciphagus

Tiny11 gForest

The edible-nest swiftlet, generally with a body length of 14 cm (5.5 in), is a medium-sized representative of the salanganes. The upper part of the slender body is blackish-brown; the under part of the body ranges in colour from white to blackish-brown. The tail is short and has a slight notch. The bill and feet are black. Legs are very short and tarsi are usually unfeathered or lightly feathered. It weighs 15 to 18 g (0.53 to 0.63 oz) and the wings are long and narrow. In flight the swept-back wings resemble a crescent.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: sucker69420 · CC BY 4.0

Himalayan Swiftlet

Aerodramus brevirostris

Tiny13 gRocky

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Dan Vickers · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Edible-nest Swiftlet and Himalayan Swiftlet.