White-nest/Germain's Swiftlet (Edible-nest Swiftlet) - Peter Kyne

ML326452041

White-nest/Germain's Swiftlet (Edible-nest Swiftlet) Aerodramus fuciphagus/germani

Report

Contributor

Date

Location

Rapid Creek Estuary
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Media from this location Illustrated Checklist
Map
Map Coordinates: -12.375488, 130.8592862
Age
Not specified
Sex
Not specified

Observation details

This is a TENTATIVE ID ONLY in the hope others can re-find these birds and obtain more photographs. These could be 'farm swiftlets' and do match many features of 'Edible-nest'. However, it is highly likely that IDs won't be conclusive on these birds, and the checklist can be changed to 'dark swiftlet sp.' as needed. Two small swiftlets flew in at 17:40 and were observed over much over the next hour. One bird was clearly pale-rumped and was suggestive of Germain's Swlftlet. The other was darker-rumped but with paler flanks and sides of rump and was suggestive of White-nest Swiftlet (this bird was an overall dark bird). Birds were often closely associating with each other. Birds were feeding over the grassland, Rapid Creek mangroves, and Charles Darwin University. Observation follows report of 2 swiftlets by Tobias Hayashi at same site and time yesterday (12 April 2021). All photos here are the White-nest Swiftlet-type, except ML326452041 which is the Germain's Swiftlet-type.

Technical information

Model
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens
EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
ISO
800
Focal length
400 mm
Flash
Flash did not fire
f-stop
f/5.6
Shutter speed
1/1250 sec
Dimensions
684 pixels x 1026 pixels
Original file size
359.34 KB