Swifts (Apodidae)

Mascarene Swiftlet (Aerodramus francicus) - HBW 5, p. 426

French: Salangane des Mascareignes German: Mauritiussalangane Spanish: Salangana de las Mascareñas
Other common names: Grey-rumped(!)/Indian Ocean/Mascarene Cave/Mauritius Swiftlet

Taxonomy: Hirundo francica J. F. Gmelin, 1789, Mauritius.
Genus often merged into Collocalia. Forms superspecies with A. elaphrus, and sometimes considered conspecific; has alternatively been lumped with A. fuciphagus, although the two do not appear to be closely related. In past, was treated as part of a composite species also including A. infuscatus, A. hirundinaceus, A. spodiopygius and A. terraereginae. Differences between birds on Reunion and Mauritius suggest that two subspecies may be involved. Monotypic.

Distribution: Mauritius and Reunion (Mascarenes).