Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Mariana Swiftlet

Aerodramus bartschi

The Mariana swiftlet, known scientifically as Aerodramus bartschi, is a small bird measuring approximately 11 centimeters in length. It presents a dark grey-brown coloration on its head and upperparts, while its throat and upper breast are a lighter grey-white. The underparts are a darker shade of grey, and the tail is characterized by a shallow fork. Notably, the plumage of this swiftlet lacks any glossy sheen.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Mariana swiftlet, look for its relatively uniform grey-brown upperparts and the contrast with its grey-white throat and upper breast. The absence of gloss on the plumage and the shallow fork in the tail are also key characteristics to distinguish it from similar species.

Habitat

This swiftlet inhabits tropical moist lowland forests, mangrove forests, and grasslands. It is particularly adapted to life in limestone caves where it roosts and nests.

Distribution

The Mariana swiftlet is native to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, specifically Saipan and Aguiguan. It has been introduced to Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands, where a small population persists. Historically, it was found on Rota and Tinian but is now locally extinct in these locations.

Behaviour

The Mariana swiftlet is a colonial nester, building shallow nests on the walls and ceilings of dark limestone caves. It lays a single egg per clutch and may breed multiple times a year. These swiftlets are known for their aerial feeding habits, catching small insects in flight. They use echolocation clicks to navigate within their dark nesting caves and communicate with twittering and chirping sounds. At dawn, the swiftlets typically leave the cave to forage, returning at sunset.

Status and Conservation

Classified as Endangered, the Mariana swiftlet has faced population declines due to predation by brown tree snakes and the use of agricultural pesticides. Conservation efforts are focused on population monitoring, limiting cave disturbances, preventing the spread of brown tree snakes to other islands, controlling pests that damage nests, and considering reintroduction to areas where the species has been extirpated.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Mariana Swiftlets on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Richard Fischer
Richard Fischer
17 May 2023 - 9:30am
Guam

More Swifts

A photo of a Himalayan Swiftlet (Aerodramus brevirostris)

Himalayan Swiftlet

Aerodramus brevirostris
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.