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Overview
Ridgetop swiftlet

Ridgetop swiftlet

Wikipedia

The ridgetop swiftlet is a small bird in the swift family Apodidae. It is endemic to the Philippines where it is found on Luzon, Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.

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Distribution

Region

Philippines

Typical Environment

Occurs on several major Philippine islands, where it favors forested hills and mountain ridges. It forages above the canopy, along edges, and over clearings, and is frequently seen coursing along ridgelines where updrafts concentrate aerial insects. Roosting and nesting typically take place in caves or on sheltered cliff faces, sometimes near limestone karst. The species tolerates lightly disturbed habitats and may feed over adjacent agricultural valleys.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2000 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size9–11 cm
Wing Span24–28 cm
Male Weight0.01 kg
Female Weight0.009 kg
Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This small swiftlet spends much of its life on the wing, catching tiny insects over forested ridges and clearings. It often nests colonially on cave walls, using saliva to glue its shallow cup nest to rock. Compared with similar swiftlets, it is slightly larger and favors upland ridgelines, which inspired its common name.

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

fast, scything flight with rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Often forages in small, loose flocks and nests in colonies on cave walls or protected cliffs. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season and may reuse suitable nest sites. Nesting colonies can include other swiftlet species when habitat overlaps.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Gives high, thin chips, twitters, and short trills while in flight. Vocalizations are rapid and insect-like, used to keep contact with flockmates over ridges and valleys.

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