Aerodramus maximus
The Black-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus) is a medium-sized, highly aerial swiftlet distinguished by its uniformly dark plumage, often with a subtly paler chin and throat, and a deeply forked tail that can appear square in flight. Measuring approximately 14-16 cm in length with a wingspan of 30-35 cm and weighing 15-25g, its dark upperparts typically exhibit a slight gloss, contrasting with a sometimes noticeable pale grey rump, a key field mark for certain subspecies. Taxonomically, it be...
The Black-nest Swiftlet primarily inhabits tropical lowland and submontane evergreen forests, often near coastal areas, limestone karsts, or mountainous regions containing suitable nesting caves. It typically occurs from sea level up to elevations of approximately 1,500-2,000 meters.
The Black-nest Swiftlet is an aerial insectivore, primarily consuming small flying insects such as ants, beetles, flies, and aphids, caught on the wing. Foraging occurs continuously during daylight hours, often in large, active flocks.
These swiftlets are strictly diurnal, spending the daylight hours in continuous flight, foraging high above the canopy or over open water, returning to large communal roosts within deep, dark limestone caves at dusk. Their foraging strategy involves hawking insects mid-air with acrobatic precisio...
The Black-nest Swiftlet boasts a relatively widespread distribution across Southeast Asia, primarily resident throughout the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Palawan group of the Philippines. Its range extends northwards into southern Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where...
Least Concern
- The Black-nest Swiftlet is named for its highly prized, jet-black edible nests, which are almost entirely composed of solidified saliva. - These nests are the most valuable type of edible bird's nest in the world, fetching high prices in Asian markets and used in "bird's nest soup. - Unlike mos...