White-rumped Swiftlet
NameWhite-rumped Swiftlet
Common NameWhite-rumped Swiftlet
Scientific NameAerodramus spodiopygius
FamilyApodidae
Wingspan (cm)29
Length (cm)11.5
Weight (g)11
Plumage DetailsDark sooty-brown to grey-brown upperparts with a prominent white or whitish-grey rump. Underparts are paler greyish-brown. Wings are long and pointed, and the tail is slightly forked.
Vocalization / CallProduces high-pitched chirps, twitters, and chattering calls, including echolocation clicks used for navigation in dark environments like caves.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatscoastal, forest, mountain
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeEndemic to the southwestern Pacific, found across various islands including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
Identifying Featuresprominent white rump, dark sooty-brown plumage, agile flight, small size, echolocation ability
Description
This small, dark swift is characterized by its agile, rapid flight and a distinctive white rump. It is an aerial insectivore, often found foraging over coastal areas and forests, and roosting in caves.
