Waterfall Swift

The Waterfall Swift , also known as the Giant Swiftlet, is a species of swift in the Apodidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Hydrochous. It is found in Indonesia and Malaysia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.

The Waterfall Swift is classified as Near Threatened (NT), is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

Waterfall Swift Hydrochous gigas - In flight from below Waterfall Swift Photographer : More

Waterfall Swift Hydrochous gigas of montane Malaya, plus Sumatra and Java, is also confined as a breeder to this restricted, and highly protected, niche habitat. On a tour of Java with Ben King back in 1998, our group had to arise at 3 a.m. to begin the trek through Gede National Park to reach the waterfall at dawn — the only chance we would have to see those unique swifts. More

Order : Apodiformes
Family : Apodidae
Genus : Hydrochous
Species : gigas
Authority : (Hartert & Butler, 1901)