Philippine swiftlet
{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Philippine_Swiftlet.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| taxon = Aerodramus mearnsi
| authority = (Oberholser, 1912)
| synonyms =
}}
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. It is easily confused with the significantly larger Ameline Swiftlet, but the 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. The combination of dark rump, unglossed dark back, and medium size separates this species from Gray-rumped Swiftlet, Pygmy Swiftlet, and Ridgetop Swiftlet. It frequently calls while in flight, giving a squeaky chattering twitter."{{Cite web |title=Philippine Swiftlet - eBird |url=https://ebird.org/ebird/species/phiswi1 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=ebird.org |language=en}}
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 in May in Mindoro. Nests in caves and rock cavities. The nest is made of moss held together with saliva, where it lays four eggs. Breeding has been recorded in May in Mindoro.{{Cite journal |last1=Chantler |first1=Philip |last2=Boesman |first2=Peter F. D. |date=2020 |title=Philippine Swiftlet (Aerodramus mearnsi), version 1.0 |url=https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/phiswi1/1.0/introduction |journal=Birds of the World |language=en |doi=10.2173/bow.phiswi1.01 |issn=2771-3105 |archive-date=2024-09-08 |access-date=2024-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908160641/https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/phiswi1/1.0/introduction |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}
Habitat and conservation status
Its natural habitats are tropical submontane forests 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. {{Cite report |url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22686519/0 |title=Aerodramus mearnsi: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22686519A93115800 |last=IUCN |date=2016-10-01 |publisher=International Union for Conservation of Nature |doi=10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t22686519a93115800.en |language=en |archive-date=2018-06-02 |access-date=2024-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602191629/http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22686519/0 |url-status=live }}
References
{{Reflist}}
- BirdLife International 2004. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/48126/all Aerodramus mearnsi]. [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ] Downloaded on 24 July 2007.
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1262496}}
Category:Endemic birds of the Philippines
Category:Taxa named by Harry C. Oberholser
Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
{{apodiformes-stub}}