About Hemiprocne comata (Temminck, 1824)
General Size & Distinctive Traits
This is a medium-sized bird species with a unique set of elongated white 'whisker' markings above and below the eye, a shaggy crest, and a deeply forked tail. Males and females have generally similar plumage.
Male Facial Markings
For males, the lores are black. There are two elongated white 'whiskers': one positioned above the eye that runs from the forehead and extends past the nape. The ear region is chestnut.
Male Dark Plumage Areas
The rest of the head and throat, tail, upper and underwing coverts, and primaries are dark metallic blue. Each secondary flight feather has a large white spot on its inner web.
Male Bronze & White Plumage
The area from the back to the uppertail coverts, as well as the breast and upper belly, are bronze olive. The lower belly and undertail coverts are white.
Female Plumage Differences
Females do not have the chestnut coloring on the ear region. Plumage for immature individuals of this species has not been described.
Bare Part Coloration
The bill is black, the eye is dark brown, and the legs are purplish brown.
