Cypsiurus

Palm Swift ( Cypsiurus parvus )

Cypsiurus is a species of bird in the family of sailors ( Apodidae ). The two closely related species of the genus occupy very similar ecological niches. One of the ways the Palm sailors, has an extensive distribution area in Africa south of the Sahara. The other, the Bengal sailors, comes in Asia from the Indian subcontinent to the east before the Great Sunda Islands and the Philippines.

Features

The body length of the palm glider is 16 centimeters, with up to 9 inches account for the tail. The smaller species, the Bengal sailor has a body length of 13 centimeters and also a relatively long tail. The shape of both species acts sleek as the wings are very long and narrow and the long tail is deeply forked. The outer feathers of the Palm glider are clearly nicked and have streamlined when the tail is fanned. The plumage is mainly brown gray and extremely low in contrast. On the surface considered reminds the body shape to the genus Apus. A good distinguishing feature is the paler, low-contrast plumage of Cypsiurus species, this also show an affinity for palm trees, also is the flight unsteady.

System

The two species of the genus are the Super parvus species, they were occasionally regarded as conspecific, RK Brooke introduced in 1972, however, differences in juvenile plumage and in the shape of the tail firmly justifying the consideration as a separate species. Also pulled Brooke into consideration that occurring in Madagascar subspecies of the Palm Swift ( C. parvus gracilis ) to be regarded as third species of the genus, which has not yet been verified or validated in more detail.

The following types are attributed to the genus:

• Palm Swift ( Cypsiurus parvus )
• Bengal Swift ( Cypsiurus balasiensis )