Recorded from our boat in Ha Long Bay. There were quite a few of these swifts flying about and I managed to get photo's from one of the islands where a temple on top allowed you to climb up. I IDed them as Fork-tailed Swifts from the Birds of Asia which doesn't have the latest splits so wasn't sure of where the ranges are. It does seem that fits into the range for Cook's, was near limestone caves where they nest and has the right characteristics of the species. Only House swift are similar and in the same region but they have a more squared tail and wider rump band and white throat. Any comments welcome.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

Call series by a single ind. entering a cave at dusk; possibly a few calls by other birds already present in the cave

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

Recorded from our boat in Ha Long Bay. There were quite a few of these swifts flying about and I managed to get photo's from one of the islands where a temple on top allowed you to climb up. I IDed them as Fork-tailed Swifts from the Birds of Asia which doesn't have the latest splits so wasn't sure of where the ranges are. It does seem that fits into the range for Cook's, was near limestone caves where they nest and has the right characteristics of the species. Only House swift are similar and in the same region but they have a more squared tail and wider rump band and white throat. Any comments welcome.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

Recorded from our boat in Ha Long Bay. There were quite a few of these swifts flying about and I managed to get photo's from one of the islands where a temple on top allowed you to climb up. I IDed them as Fork-tailed Swifts from the Birds of Asia which doesn't have the latest splits so wasn't sure of where the ranges are. It does seem that fits into the range for Cook's, was near limestone caves where they nest and has the right characteristics of the species. Only House swift are similar and in the same region but they have a more squared tail and wider rump band and white throat. Any comments welcome.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

Bird seen only very briefly through the canopy; ID not 100% certain but based on habitat (limestone karst), range, and description of call in BoW ('commonest call is a shrill, piercing, wheezy or reedy scream srreeeeerrr'), appears to be this species. Different call type from that uttered by birds entering a cave at dusk (XC707585)

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

Several birds calling during aerial chases

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

My notes indicate dozens of Himalayan Swiftlet overhead, but this call bears strong resemblance to Cook's Swift which are also quite common in this spot. Compared with XC132941.