From Opus

Collocalia esculenta

Also known as White-bellied Swiftlet

Photo by kctsang
Photographed: Location: Frasers' Hill, Malaysia

[edit] Identification

A tiny Swiftlet, highly polytypic, with a square tail
Small, partially feathered tarsi, slightly forked tail, sexes alike, races differ mainly in size, by intensity of color, and by presence of white margins to rump feathers (septentrionalis and marginata) or by lack thereof (isonota and bagobo). In marginata the upperparts glossy blue black with some or most rump feathers edged white forming a 'white' rump; base of lore feathers whitish; face, chin, and sides of neck grey; breast and belly grey with white edges to feathers; belly white with dark shaft streaks; undertail coverts blue black with white edges. In bagobo no white on rump and belly less distinctly white. Bill black; eye dark brown; legs dark purplish flesh.

[edit] Distribution

From Andamans, Nicobars, and Malay Peninsula south through Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sundas to New Guinea and the southwest Pacific, including Moluccas, Sulawesi, Borneo, and the Philippines and New Caledonia.
Common in most of its range and not globally threatened.

[edit] Taxonomy

Highly polytypic. Currently over 30 subspecies are described. Probably conspecific with Cave Swiftlet.
Some treat marginata and septentrionalis as a species, Grey-rumped Swiftlet.

[edit] Habitat

Recorded over different habitats, often in humid areas and often around human settlements. Forest, forest edge, cultivated land, villages, towns and from sea-level up to 4500m (in New Guinea).

[edit] Behaviour

This most conspicuous swiftlet, often feeding low over forest or close to the ground over streams and clearings, including roads. Takes various insects in flight, often foraging in large groups, also with other Swiftlets, Swifts or Swallows.
Breeding season differs through range, but mostly between February and May. Nests singly or in colonies, building a small cup or half cup attached to a cliff, a wall, in a tree hollow, on rocks or even among roots of big trees. As the species is not capable of echolocation it does not breed in caves. Lays two eggs.
Resident. Records in Torres Strait and Australia may represent an undiscovered population, however this opinion is controversial.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages