Indian Swiftlet
Aerodramus unicolor
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<birdfyi-bird slug="aerodramus-unicolor"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small swiftlet (11-12 cm) found across the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. Dark grey-brown plumage with slightly paler underparts. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forests, towns, and agricultural land. Colonial nester in caves and buildings. Uses simple echolocation clicks.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 22.7 cm | 8.9 in |
| Weight | 11.0 g | 0.39 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Small; uniformly dark blackish-brown throughout with minimal gloss; rump barely paler than back or concolorous; underparts dark grey-brown; forked tail; South Indian and Sri Lankan endemic with exceptionally uniform dark coloration.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in Sri Lanka and southwestern India. Resident in hills and lowlands, nesting in rock crevices on cliff faces up to 2,000 m elevation.
Diet & Feeding
Tiny aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; congregates where insects emerge over water.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: HC.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Rapid, thin twittering; 'tsit-tsit' calls over South Indian hills; audible echolocation clicks in cave roosts; colonial; calls softly in flight; noisy at roost entrances
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Aerodramus |
| Species | Aerodramus unicolor |
Distribution
Indian Swiftlet has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Indian Swiftlet eat?
Where does the Indian Swiftlet live?
Is the Indian Swiftlet endangered?
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What does the Indian Swiftlet sound like?
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What order and family does the Indian Swiftlet belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family