This swift breeds in the outer Himalayas and Assam Hills and is recorded in India in winter. In the Nilgiri region of southern India, a study confirmed breeding from observations of birds carrying food.
The throat pattern varies from distinctly barred to whitish. In some birds the pale throat extends down over the breast, so the scale-like markings on the underparts begin lower on the chest.
In April 2020, birds observed in Anaikatti Hills in southern India were carrying food boluses. The authors used this observation to confirm breeding in the Nilgiri region of the Southern Western Ghats.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.