h House Swift at Sibu by SINGH HSS, Amar - Borneo Bird Images

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APODIDAE Swifts > House Swift

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image 6661 of House Swift

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House Swift

Latin Name : Apus nipalensis

Site Name : Sibu

Photographer : SINGH HSS, Amar

Date : 2012-06-07

Notes : Remarks
I have often seen Pacific Swallows swoop down to drink from a pond (i.e. drinking while on the wing). On 16th October 2010 I posted a flock of House Swifts doing the same at the Kinta River, Ipoh City, Malaysia
While at Sibu I saw the same behaviour. The river is wide here and these images were taken from 30+ meters (not great quality, heavily cropped). But the behaviour is unmistakable. There was large flock, exceeding 50 birds, and they were swopping down repeatedly (same bird more than once). The oral cavity was opened really wide when coming in to drink. Only a few of my images were actually able to document them touching the choppy waters. It was a hot day.
I also considered if this was some feeding activity, but cannot understand why insects would be way out there in the “open” waters.
Amar