Alternative names: Island Swiftlet, Lowland Swiftlet, Vanikoro Swiftlet
- Aerodramus vanikorensis
Includes: Grey Swiftlet; Palawan Swiftlet
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.
Distribution
Found from south-east Asia to islands of the South Pacific.
From the Philippines and Palawan to Sulawesi, 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.
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.
The subspecies from Palawan and the one from the Philippines are sometimes considered full 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.
Around 14 subspecies are currently recognized.
Habitat
Usually found over forest, but also over coasts and islands. Recorded in lowlands and highlands.
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.
