The Ameline swiftlet, also known as the grey swiftlet is a small bird in the swift family Apodidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. It was formerly considered as a subspecies of the uniform swiftlet. Despite some fears around conservation, the species remains a Least-concern species.
Region
Philippines
Typical Environment
Occurs across much of the Philippine archipelago, commonly over lowland and submontane forests, forest edges, and agricultural mosaics. Frequently forages above rivers, coastal areas, and towns where aerial insects concentrate. Breeding colonies are in limestone and lava caves, occasionally in man-made structures with cave-like conditions. It ranges widely over open airspace but usually remains tied to suitable roost and nesting caves. Local abundance can vary with availability of secure cave sites.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small swiftlet endemic to the Philippines, often seen wheeling high over forests and clearings. It nests colonially on cave walls, using saliva to glue its nest to rock and is one of the few birds capable of simple echolocation to navigate in darkness. Formerly treated as a subspecies of the Uniform Swiftlet, it is now recognized as a distinct species. Despite localized pressures on caves and forests, it is currently assessed as Least Concern.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
fast, agile with rapid wingbeats and brief glides
Social Behavior
Typically forms loose to large flocks while foraging on the wing. Nests colonially in caves, where pairs adhere their nests to walls using salivary cement. Pairs are monogamous within a season and share incubation and chick-rearing. Uses simple echolocation clicks inside caves to navigate in darkness.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are high-pitched twittering and chittering calls given in flight. Inside caves it produces dry clicking notes used for basic echolocation rather than song.
Plumage
Uniform gray-brown to sooty-gray with a slightly paler throat and underparts; overall smooth, unpatterned appearance. Tail shallowly forked; long, narrow, scythe-like wings. Rump lacks a strong contrasting band.
Diet
An aerial insectivore that captures small flying insects such as ants, termites, flies, beetles, and small moths. Forages at variable heights, often adjusting to insect swarms after rain or near water. Feeds continuously on the wing, using its wide gape to scoop prey. Will follow disturbance events and edge habitats where insects are concentrated.
Preferred Environment
Most often feeds above lowland forest, clearings, and along rivers and coastlines. Also forages over agricultural fields and towns near roosting caves.
