Hydrochous
Giant swiftlet
Species of bird
The giant swiftlet (Hydrochous gigas), also known as the waterfall swift, is a species of bird in the swift family, Apodidae. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Hydrochous.[2] It is found in Malaysia, Sumatra and Java, where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
The giant swiftlet has the largest average wingspan of all the swiftlets, at 150 millimeters.[3] It is a fairly large swift that can grow to 16 cm in length. The female weighs 35 to 39 grams, and the male around 37 grams.[4] Unlike other swiftlets, it builds its nest on a flat horizontal surface instead of molding it against a vertical surface with saliva.[5]
It is not totally nocturnal but able to orientate visually in dim light.[6]