The Seychelles swiftlet is a small bird of the swift family. It is found only in the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean.
Region
Western Indian Ocean (Seychelles)
Typical Environment
Restricted to the inner granitic islands of the Seychelles, especially where suitable caves exist for roosting and breeding. Forages widely above forested slopes, valleys, agricultural clearings, and along coasts. Often seen over rivers and wetlands where emergent insect swarms occur. Occasionally passes over villages and open areas while feeding. Breeding is concentrated in a small number of cave colonies that are highly sensitive to disturbance.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This swiftlet is endemic to the Seychelles and is one of few birds capable of simple echolocation, using clicking sounds to navigate in dark caves. It nests colonially on cave walls with cups made mostly of saliva mixed with plant fibers. The species is sensitive to disturbance and predation by introduced mammals. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding caves and controlling invasive predators.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
rapid and agile with scything arcs and quick wingbeats, interspersed with short glides
Social Behavior
A colonial cave-nester, forming tight roosting groups on vertical walls and ceilings. Pairs are monogamous within a season and both sexes build the nest and share incubation and chick-rearing. Typically lays a single egg, with breeding timed to coincide with peak insect availability.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Produces high-pitched twittering and chittering contact calls while foraging in flocks. Inside caves it emits soft, repetitive clicking sounds used for simple echolocation in darkness.
Plumage
Sooty-brown overall with slightly paler brown underparts; sleek, glossy texture. Narrow, sickle-shaped wings and a short, shallowly forked tail. The throat can appear a shade paler, and the rump may look subtly lighter in good light.
Diet
An aerial insectivore that catches small flying insects on the wing, including ants, termites, flies, beetles, and moths. It often exploits insect swarms after rain and over water. Foraging is fast and continuous, with birds covering large areas in loose flocks. Prey is swallowed in flight and may be carried back as a bolus to chicks.
Preferred Environment
Feeds above forest edges, valleys, coastal cliffs, beaches, and over rivers and wetlands. Frequently follows airflow along ridgelines and sea breezes that concentrate aerial insects. Foraging often occurs within a few kilometers of breeding caves but can extend more widely.
