From Opus

Alternative names: Island Swiftlet, Lowland Swiftlet, Vanikoro Swiftlet

Aerodramus vanikorensis

[edit] Identification

With 13cm a medium-sized Swiftlet, similar to other Swiftlets and highly variable

• Grey brown upperparts
• pale grey-brown underparts
• slightly darker undertail-coverts
• slightly forked tail
• rump uniform with underparts (except in pallens from New Hanover and New Ireland)

Subspecies differ in coloration, wing length, paler or darker throats and size.

[edit] Distribution

Found from south-east Asia to islands of the South Pacific.
From Sulawesi to the Moluccas, New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland and the Solomon Islands to Vanuatu.
Two records from Australia.
Common or even abundant in most of its range.

[edit] Taxonomy

Like other Aerodramus Swiftles this species is often placed in Collocalia.
Formerly considered conspecific with Mossy-nest Swiftlet, Palau Swiftlet, Guam Swiftlet and Caroline Swiftlet. The five species form now a superspecies. Palawan Swiftlet and Grey Swiftlet are by some authorities treated as subspecies of this species. Moluccan Swiftlet and Mountain Swiftlet have been regarded as subspecies of Uniform Swiftlet too. The exact relationsship among the various Swiftlets are still poorly understood.
13 subspecies are currently recognized.

[edit] Habitat

Usually found over forest, but also over coasts and islands. Recorded in lowlands and highlands.

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds on insects, taken in flight. Highly gregarious and often in big flocks together with other Swiftlets and Swifts. Feeds very low over open country and all day.
Breeding season differs throughout range. Nests in colonies in caves and is capable of echolocation. The nest is made of vegetable matter and hold toghether with little saliva. Lays one to two eggs.
Resident, but some wandering occurs. Is known to move along storm fronts and vagrants have reached Australia.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages