Current view: Data table and detailed info
Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Red List history
| Migratory status |
full migrant |
Forest dependency |
medium |
| Land-mass type |
continent
|
Average mass |
- |
Population justification: This species has been described as very local and scarce (Rasmussen and Anderton 2012). The number of individuals recorded in each eBird (2024) observation indicates that the population size is unlikely to be less than 250. However, it is possible that the population size could be fewer than 1,000 mature individuals. Given the significant lack of understanding surrounding the population, a precautionary estimate ranges from 900 to 10,000 individuals. This estimate considers both the apparent small population size and the substantial uncertainty, leaving room for the possibility of a larger population that has yet to be discovered.
Trend justification: The species has a broad range and there are no known threats that are thought to be causing significant global declines in the population. An analysis conducted via Global Forest Watch indicates a notable decline of 6.4% in forest cover spanning the period from 2010 to 2023 (3 generations) (Global Forest Watch (2024), based on data from Hansen et al. (2013) and methods therein). Primarily concentrated within the recognised resident range of the species, this reduction in forest cover could pose a concern for the species, however it is not thought to be heavily dependent on forest. The species has an expansive breeding range, with regions in Bhutan where the species is present, experiencing minimal forest cover loss. Furthermore, regions characterised by robust forest ecosystems, like Phawngpui National Park, are known for hosting healthy populations of A. acuticauda (Kasambe et al. 2014). The species also exhibits a high elevational tolerance, having been documented between 200 and 2,470 meters within India (Chantler and Kirwan 2020). Consequently, owing to potential accessibility constraints, suitable habitat extends beyond areas with higher rates of forest loss. Records at its known sites have remained stable for many years, for example at Cherrapunji (J. Eaton in litt. 2013), and it continues to be regularly reported at well-known sites (eBird 2024). Given the limited understanding of this species' ecology, assessing the extent to which forest cover loss poses a threat remains challenging, but it does not seem likely to have caused any significant population declines yet. Due to these factors the population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
Country/territory distribution
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Dark-rumped Swift Apus acuticauda. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/dark-rumped-swift-apus-acuticauda on 26/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 26/12/2024.
