The whiskered treeswift is a species of bird in the family Hemiprocnidae. It is the smallest of 4 species in genus Hemiprocne and is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia through Singapore and into the Greater Sundas, including Sumatra, Borneo, and Java. Prefers lowland to foothill evergreen and mixed dipterocarp forests, forest edges, riparian corridors, and clearings near intact woodland. Regularly uses secondary forest, selectively logged areas, and plantations adjacent to forest. It often selects high, exposed perches along forest margins, roads, and rivers for foraging.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The whiskered treeswift is the smallest treeswift and is noted for its striking white facial 'whiskers.' It often perches quietly on exposed dead twigs at forest edges, sallying out to catch insects. Its tiny, shallow cup nest is glued to a slender twig with saliva and typically holds a single egg. Pairs frequently roost side by side and show strong site fidelity.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with graceful glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs perched on exposed snags at canopy edges. Pairs maintain small territories and often roost together. The nest is a tiny, shallow pad attached to a bare twig with saliva; typically a single egg is laid and both parents attend.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched tseep and seee notes, often delivered in short series during flight or from a perch. Vocalizations are soft and can be easily overlooked in forest edge noise.
