The mossy-nest swiftlet is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. Some taxonomists consider it to be a subspecies of the uniform swiftlet. It is found in northern Borneo, the Natuna and the Derawan Islands and Nias island off western Sumatra. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Sundaland (northern Borneo and nearby Indonesian islands)
Typical Environment
Occurs in northern Borneo and on adjacent islands including the Natuna and Derawan groups and Nias off western Sumatra. It forages widely over subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, forest edges, and along rivers. Nesting and roosting typically occur in caves, sea cliffs, and occasionally man‑made structures that mimic cave conditions. It often ranges over coastal zones and interior lowlands, commuting between caves and feeding areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This swiftlet builds a cup-shaped nest of moss and plant fibers cemented with saliva on cave or cliff walls—hence the name 'mossy-nest.' It is often treated by some authorities as part of the Uniform Swiftlet complex, making field identification challenging. Like several Aerodramus swiftlets, it can use simple echolocation clicks to navigate in dark roosting and nesting caves. Its nests are not the type typically harvested for the edible nest trade.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
fast, agile flight with rapid shallow wingbeats and sweeping arcs
Social Behavior
Forms colonies for roosting and nesting, often in limestone caves. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season, placing moss-and-saliva cup nests on vertical cave walls or ledges. Typically lays one or two eggs and both sexes share incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched twitters and chips given in flight over foraging areas. Inside caves it produces soft clicking notes used as simple echolocation to navigate in darkness.
