The satin swiftlet is a small bird in the swift family Apodidae. It is endemic to the Santa Cruz Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of the glossy swiftlet.
Region
Melanesia
Typical Environment
Found on the Santa Cruz Islands, across Vanuatu, and in New Caledonia including the Loyalty Islands. It frequents forest edges, coastal plains, secondary growth, and open country near cliffs and caves used for roosting and nesting. Birds often forage above ridgelines, river valleys, and shorelines where aerial insects are concentrated. They readily range over villages and plantations after rains when insect swarms occur.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The satin swiftlet is a small, glossy swift formerly treated as a subspecies of the glossy swiftlet. It nests colonially on cave walls and cliff overhangs, building small cup nests with saliva and fine plant fibers. Unlike some cave-nesting swiftlets, it is not known to use true echolocation. It spends most of its life on the wing, catching tiny insects over forests and coasts.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift arcs and brief glides
Social Behavior
Typically forms loose foraging flocks and often mixes with other swiftlets and swallows. Nests colonially on cave walls, crevices, and sheltered rock faces, using saliva to cement small cup nests. Pairs are likely monogamous within a breeding season and roost communally.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are high, thin chips and rapid twittering given in flight over feeding areas. Around colonies it produces continuous, buzzy chatter and sharp contact notes rather than a melodious song.
