Collocalia linchi
The Linchi Swiftlet (*Collocalia linchi*) is a diminutive marvel of the avian world, measuring a mere 10-12 centimeters in length and weighing between 5.5-10.0 grams. Its plumage is predominantly sooty-brown, appearing almost black in flight, with slightly paler underparts. A key identifying feature is its distinct, often pale grey or whitish rump patch, which contrasts with its darker back and tail. Taxonomically, it belongs to the family Apodidae, the swifts, and is one of several closely r...
This swiftlet primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, frequently found near foothills, montane areas, and coastal cliffs. It thrives from sea level up to elevations of approximately 2,000 meters, often seeking out limestone caves or crevices for roosting and nesting.
The Linchi Swiftlet feeds exclusively on a variety of small, aerial insects, including beetles, flies, ants, and termites, which it catches while in continuous flight.
Linchi Swiftlets are highly aerial and diurnal, spending the majority of their waking hours in continuous flight, only settling to roost communally in dark caves at night. Their foraging strategy is exclusively aerial insectivory, tirelessly hawking small insects on the wing, often in large, swir...
The Linchi Swiftlet is a resident species primarily found across Southeast Asia, with a broad distribution spanning numerous islands and mainland regions. Its core range encompasses much of Indonesia, including Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba, Timor, Sulawesi, and the Banggai ...
Least Concern
- The Linchi Swiftlet is one of only a handful of bird species in the world known to use echolocation, producing audible clicks to navigate pitch-black caves. - Their nests are incredibly specialized, constructed from mosses, lichens, and even feathers, all glued together with their own hardened ...