Collocalia marginata
The Grey-rumped Swiftlet (*Collocalia marginata*) is a diminutive and highly agile aerial insectivore endemic to the Philippine archipelago. Averaging 10-12 cm in length, this species is characterized by its uniformly dusky brownish-black plumage, strikingly contrasted by a distinct pale grey rump that serves as its diagnostic field mark. Its long, slender, swept-back wings and a slightly forked tail are typical of swifts, enabling its ceaseless, acrobatic flight. Taxonomically, it belongs to...
Primarily inhabiting forested and open country near suitable nesting and roosting caves or rock shelters, found from coastal lowlands up to high mountain elevations of 1,500-2,000 meters.
Exclusively insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of small flying arthropods (e.g., beetles, flies, ants, termites, moths) caught expertly on the wing during continuous aerial foraging.
Grey-rumped Swiftlets are highly aerial and active throughout the day, constantly foraging for insects on the wing. They are colonial breeders and roost communally in large numbers within the dark recesses of caves, which they navigate with remarkable precision using a sophisticated form of echol...
The Grey-rumped Swiftlet is strictly endemic to the Philippines, where it is widely distributed across numerous islands within the archipelago. Its primary breeding range encompasses major islands such as Luzon, Mindoro, Sibuyan, Samar, Negros, Mindanao, and Palawan, as well as smaller islands wi...
Least Concern
- The Grey-rumped Swiftlet is one of the few bird species globally capable of echolocation, emitting distinct clicks to navigate in complete darkness within its cave roosts, similar to bats. - Its cup-shaped nests are largely constructed from the bird's own salivary glue, which hardens to form a ...