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Overview
Ameline swiftlet

Ameline swiftlet

Wikipedia

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.

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Distribution

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

Characteristics

Size11–12 cm
Wing Span26–30 cm
Male Weight0.01 kg
Female Weight0.01 kg
Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

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.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo

Behaviour

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.

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