Three-toed swiftlet

Overview

Wikipedia

The three-toed swiftlet or Papuan swiftlet is a species of swift. It is found in New Guinea.

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Distribution

Region

New Guinea

Typical Environment

Occurs across suitable habitats in New Guinea, from lowland rainforest to montane slopes and rugged limestone country. It is typically associated with forested valleys, cliffs, and areas with caves or rock overhangs used for roosting and nesting. Birds forage widely over the forest canopy, river corridors, and open clearings, often far from nesting sites. Local colonies are small to moderate in size and may share sites with other swiftlets.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size10–12 cm

Wing Span26–30 cm

Male Weight0.011 kg

Female Weight0.01 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Also called the Papuan swiftlet, this species is endemic to New Guinea and is remarkable for having only three toes, lacking the hind toe seen in most birds. Like many swiftlets, it constructs small nests using saliva, often on cave walls or cliff ledges. It spends most of its life on the wing, catching tiny insects over forests and valleys, and may use simple clicking sounds to navigate in dark roosts.

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with swift, scything arcs

Social Behavior

Typically forms loose flocks while foraging and nests in small colonies on cave walls or sheltered cliffs. Pairs defend only a small area around the nest site. Breeding involves cup-like nests built largely of hardened saliva attached to vertical substrates.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched twittering and chips given in flight. Around roosts or in darkness, it may produce simple clicking notes that aid orientation.

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Identification

Leg Colorblackish-grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Uniform sooty-brown to dark brown with slightly paler underparts; satin-like sheen on fresh feathers; short, square to shallowly notched tail.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Feeds on small aerial insects such as flies, ants, beetles, and other tiny arthropods captured on the wing. Foraging occurs high and low over the canopy, along ridgelines, and above rivers and clearings. It continually patrols feeding areas, adjusting altitude with weather and insect swarms.

Preferred Environment

Most often seen above forest edges, river valleys, and open patches near cliffs or karst where colonies occur. Will range widely over both primary and secondary forest, sometimes over adjacent grasslands.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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