Crested Treeswift

The crested treeswift is a large, slender swift about 23 cm long, dove-grey above and white below, with long swept-back wings, a crest and a long, deeply forked tail. The adult male has orange cheeks and ear coverts. It was once considered the same species as the grey-rumped treeswift, but the two do not interbreed where they overlap (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is found in small groups that fly in wide circles over open forest and sometimes perch on tall leafless trees, sitting very upright. The call is a harsh kee-kyew or a three-note kip-kee-kep. Nationally Least Concern (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).