The Australian swiftlet is a small bird belonging to the genus Aerodramus in the swift family, Apodidae. It is endemic to Queensland in north-eastern Australia. It was formerly included in the white-rumped swiftlet but is now commonly treated as a separate species. It has two subspecies which are occasionally regarded as two separate species: A. t. terraereginae and A. t. chillagoensis.
Region
Northeastern Australia
Typical Environment
Endemic to coastal and sub-coastal northeastern Queensland, where it is closely associated with karst and lava tube cave systems for breeding. It forages widely over adjacent rainforest edges, open woodland, savanna, agricultural land, and along river corridors. Birds often range many kilometers from roosts, feeding above the canopy and over clearings. Roost and nest sites are primarily in dark cave zones where echolocation is advantageous. Occasional use of coastal cliffs and man-made structures near suitable foraging areas has been noted.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This cave-nesting swiftlet is restricted to northeastern Queensland, Australia, and often roosts in limestone systems such as the Chillagoe–Mungana caves. Like several Aerodramus swiftlets, it uses audible clicking sounds to echolocate in complete darkness. It was formerly treated within the white-rumped swiftlet complex but is now widely recognized as a distinct species with two subspecies.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid, agile wingbeats and swift glides
Social Behavior
Highly colonial at roosts and breeding sites within caves, where pairs attach nests to walls or ceilings. Pairs are seasonally monogamous, and colonies can include many nesting pairs in close proximity. Outside the breeding site, they form loose foraging flocks over suitable airspace.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
In flight, it gives thin, high-pitched twittering and chirps used for contact in foraging groups. Inside caves, it emits distinctive clicking notes for echolocation, often in rapid sequences.
