White-rumped Swiftlet

The White-rumped Swiftlet, Aerodramus spodiopygius, is a small, aerial bird belonging to the family Apodidae. It is characterized by its swift flight and distinctive white rump which contrasts with its darker plumage.

Identification Tips

To identify the White-rumped Swiftlet, look for its grey-brown upperparts and paler grey underparts. The bird's underparts may appear whitish in flight. Its most distinguishing feature is the white patch on the rump, which is particularly visible when the bird is airborne.

Habitat

This swiftlet inhabits a range of environments including subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and rocky areas, where it can often be seen gracefully maneuvering through the air.

Distribution

The White-rumped Swiftlet is found across various island regions, including American Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Notably, the birds observed in Australia are now classified as a separate species, the Australian Swiftlet (Aerodramus terraereginae).

Behaviour

The White-rumped Swiftlet is known for its agile flight, often seen darting through the sky in search of insects. It is a social species, typically found in flocks.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the White-rumped Swiftlet as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher level of concern.