AERIAL FEEDERS
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African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus gracilis
F
M Manaviandro Martinet des Palmes
DISTRIBUTION: Most of Afrotropics. Fairly common Length: 16 cm | 6" in open habitats below 1,100 m (3,600') in much of WHERE TO SEE: Almost Madagascar, often in association with palms, especially anywhere in the lowlands Bismarck Palm Bismarckia nobilis, Coconut Palm Cocos where there are palms nearby. nucifera and Hyphaene spp. Absent from the High Plateau. ID: Spindly, long-tailed swift with agile but weak flight. Smaller, slimmer, and paler grey than African Black Swift. VOICE: Weak, rattling trills given in flight. BEHAVIOUR: Like all swifts, normally seen only in flight. It eats, drinks and mates on the wing, and perches only near the nests, inside palm trees. e
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M
African Black Swift Apus barbatus balstoni
Sidintsidinamainty F Martinet du Cap
DISTRIBUTION: Scattered areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Length: 16–18 cm | 6–7" The two subspecies in the Malagasy region may prove to WHERE TO SEE: Ranges be full species. Occurs throughout Madagascar, though widely and can be seen almost erratically; perhaps semi-migratory. Often feeds over wet anywhere. Can usually be areas like rice paddies, lakes and the ocean. spotted in the skies over Tana. ID: Big, dark, powerful swift. Much stronger flier than African Palm Swift, and tends to fly higher. VOICE: High-pitched trill given in flight. BEHAVIOUR: As is typical for swifts, usually seen only on the wing, often in flocks, and even seems capable of sleeping in flight! Eats flying insects. R
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Mascarene Martin Phedina borbonica
F
M Sidintsidina Hirondelle des Mascareignes
DISTRIBUTION: Breeds on Madagascar, Réunion and Length: 14 cm | 5·5" Mauritius. Common in Madagascar year-round, but some WHERE TO SEE: When in regularly reach mainland Africa, suggesting migratory Madagascar, look up! Very behaviour. Widespread in many habitats, although gathers common. especially over wetlands. Readily nests on man-made structures, and can be seen in towns. ID: This is the default swallow in Madagascar. Although superficially similar to swifts, swallows are not in a closely related family. Flight more relaxed than a swift. Wings are more crooked, and less sickle-shaped. Unlike swifts, martins are often seen perched. Brown back and pale, dark-streaked underparts are unlike those of any swift. The Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola (not illustrated) is uncommon, mainly in the highlands: it is smaller than Mascarene Martin, has plain underparts, and is a much weaker flier. VOICE: Short sizzling call given mainly in flight. BEHAVIOUR: Often in small flocks. Insect prey is caught in flight. 3
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