Caroline Swiftlet
Aerodramus inquietus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="aerodramus-inquietus"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small swiftlet (10-11 cm) endemic to the Caroline Islands of Micronesia (Pohnpei, Kosrae). Dark plumage. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest canopy. Colonial cave nester. Restricted to a few high volcanic islands in the western Pacific.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 22.8 cm | 9.0 in |
| Weight | 11.0 g | 0.39 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Small; dark grey-brown upperparts; pale buff rump band; underparts pale greyish-white; forked tail; Micronesian endemic from Caroline Islands; very similar to Palau Swiftlet but distributed on a distinct island group.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found across the Caroline Islands of Micronesia including Pohnpei and Chuuk. Resident in lowland forest and cave systems.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on aerial plankton including tiny flies and spiders; forages in large noisy flocks above forest canopy.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CP.
Clutch Size
1-2
Sound
Song
Thin twittering calls; 'tsit-tsit' over Caroline Islands; echolocation clicks in cave roosts; moderate-pitched for swiftlet; produces soft chattering at colonial nesting sites
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Aerodramus |
| Species | Aerodramus inquietus |
Distribution
Caroline Swiftlet has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family