Memorandum to: The Director of Birds Australia

From: Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)

Date: 21st February 2007

Voting Members: Danny Rogers Mike Carter

Niven McCrie John Hatch

Tony Palliser Andrew Silcocks

Glenn Holmes Rohan Clarke

cc. David Stewart

Submission No. 500: Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta. Daintree, QLD 14^th August 2006. Submitted by: Jean-Florent Mandelbaum.

Verdict: Accepted

This submission relates to the sighting of a Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta seen associating with White-rumed Swiftlet Aerodrumus spodiopygius close to the Daintree Village, QLD on the 14^th August 2006.

The observer immediately noticed that one of the birds was smaller, darker and featured a prominent white-belly and a glossy appearance above. Closer inspection and direct comparison with White-rumped Swiftlet confirmed the identification. In summary (as stated within the submission) the following features were used to confirm the identity:

- a very visible white belly, contrasting with the black wings

- a dark rump

- black upperwings and glossy back

- a smaller size, told by direct comparison with White-rumped Swiftlets

- a more "fluttering" flight than the flight of White-rumped Swiftlets, creating a different jizz

Members voted unanimously in favour of acceptance, agreeing that all of the above features describe Glossy Swiftlet perfectly and rule out all other swiftlets. This is the 5^th record of this species to be accepted by BARC.

References and Bibliography:

· Chantler, P. & Driessens, G., (1995), Swifts; A Guide to the Swifts & Treeswifts of the World. Pica, E. Sussex.

· Sibley, C.G. & Munroe, B.L., Jr. 1990. Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. Yale University Press, New Haven.

Tony Palliser

Chairman, Birds Australia Rarities Committee