White-rumped Swiftlet
Aerodramus spodiopygius
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="aerodramus-spodiopygius"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/aerodramus-spodiopygius/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/aerodramus-spodiopygius/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/aerodramus-spodiopygius/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="aerodramus-spodiopygius"></birdfyi-bird>The White-rumped Swiftlet (Aerodramus spodiopygius) is a bird species in the family Apodidae (swifts), within the order Caprimulgiformes (nightjars & swifts). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 23.4 cm and a weight of 7.4 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
On this page
About
A small swiftlet (10-11 cm) widespread across the western Pacific from the Bismarck Archipelago to Fiji and Samoa. Dark plumage with a conspicuous white rump band. Aerial insectivore. Colonial cave nester using echolocation. One of the most widespread Pacific swiftlets.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 23.4 cm | 9.2 in |
| Weight | 7.4 g | 0.26 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Small; dark brownish-black upperparts with faint gloss; white rump patch contrasting sharply with dark back and tail; underparts pale greyish-white; forked tail; widespread Pacific species with diagnostically bright white rump.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found across the southwestern Pacific including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu east to the Cook Islands. Resident from coast to mountains.
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: SA. Incubation: 22-25 days. Fledging: 45-46 days.
Clutch Size
1-2
Sound
Song
Rapid thin twittering; high 'tsit-tsit' notes over Pacific islands; echolocation clicks in caves; colonial; produces soft chattering in roost cavities; unremarkable call
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Aerodramus |
| Species | Aerodramus spodiopygius |
Distribution
White-rumped Swiftlet has been recorded in 1 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the White-rumped Swiftlet eat?
Where does the White-rumped Swiftlet live?
Is the White-rumped Swiftlet endangered?
How does the White-rumped Swiftlet nest?
What does the White-rumped Swiftlet sound like?
How big is the White-rumped Swiftlet?
What order and family does the White-rumped Swiftlet belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family