The Philippine swiftlet (Aerodramus mearnsi, formerly Collocalia mearnsi) is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. It is endemic to the Philippines.
Its natural habitats are or tropical dry forests, tropical moist lowland forests, and tropical moist montane forests.
Description and taxonomy
Ebird describes it as "Uncommon dark swiftlet. Endemic to a smattering of the Philippines islands, from Luzon to Mindanao to Palawan. Habitat can be helpful in identifying this confusing species; generally favors ridges and slopes in montane and submontane areas above 700-800 meters. Readily confused with significantly larger Ameline Swiftlet, but present species has a more squared-off-looking tail (fork is shallow and often unnoticeable), tends to fly lower and more erratically, and more often forms flocks. Combination of dark rump, unglossed dark back, and medium size separates this species from Gray-rumped Swiftlet, Pygmy Swiftlet, and Ridgetop Swiftlet. Frequently calls while in flight, giving a squeaky chattering twitter."1
This species is monotypic.
Ecology and behavior
Diet is unknown but it is presumed to have the typical diet of insects caught in flight. Nests consist of moss held together with saliva which does not remain moist but hardens. Breeds May on Mindoro. Four eggs. Breeds in caves and rock cavities. Nest made of moss held together with saliva where it lays 4 eggs. Recorded breeding in May in Mindoro.2
Habitat and conservation status
Its natural habitats are tropical submontane forest beginning at 700 meters above sea level.
It is listed as Least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature with the population believed to be stable. 3
- BirdLife International 2004. Aerodramus mearnsi. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 24 July 2007.
References
"Philippine Swiftlet - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-09-08. https://ebird.org/ebird/species/phiswi1 ↩
Chantler, Philip; Boesman, Peter F. D. (2020). "Philippine Swiftlet (Aerodramus mearnsi), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.phiswi1.01. ISSN 2771-3105. Archived from the original on 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2024-09-08. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/phiswi1/1.0/introduction ↩
IUCN (2016-10-01). Aerodramus mearnsi: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22686519A93115800 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t22686519a93115800.en. Archived from the original on 2018-06-02. Retrieved 2024-09-08. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22686519/0 ↩