FIRST CONFIRMED BREEDING RECORD OF THE BLYTH’S SWIFT APUS PACIFICUS LEUCONYX (BLYTH, 1845) (APODIFORMES, APODIDAE) IN SOUTHERN PARTS OF NILGIRI REGION OF WESTERN GHATS OF INDIA

Blyth’s Swift, endemic to the Indian subcontinent, is one of four taxa Pacific Swift Apus pacificus complex. It known breed in high altitudes (>2,000 m) and disperse widely winters, as far southern extremity Nilgiri Region Western Ghats India. However, true extent its non-breeding range remains uncertain. The present study reports extended breeding species also an attempt confirm using Species Distribution Modeling (SDM). In April 2020 Anaikatty Hills Southern Ghats, Coimbatore, we recorded assemblage aerial foraging Aves; Swiftlet Aerodramus unicolor (Jerdon, 1840), Asian Palm Cypsiurus balasiensis (J.E. Gray, 1829), Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica (Laxmann, 1769), a large-sized swift. After referring experts’ field guides discussions, confirmed species’ identification leuconyx (Blyth, 1845). observed individuals were carrying food bolus, confirming active region Also, available records projected Model SDM, included Ghats. We claim first record extension range.