Aerodramus orientalis
Mayr's Swiftlet (Aerodramus orientalis) is a captivating, medium-sized swiftlet endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago, primarily New Britain and New Ireland in Papua New Guinea. Measuring approximately 10-12 cm in length with a wingspan of about 25-28 cm, this aerial master exhibits a uniformly sooty-brown plumage, appearing almost black from a distance, often with slightly paler underparts. A key field mark, though variable and sometimes indistinct, is a faint grayish-white rump patch, which r...
Mayr's Swiftlet inhabits lowland and montane forests, often foraging over coastal areas, disturbed habitats, and even towns. It roosts and nests exclusively within dark caves, typically at elevations from sea level up to around 2,000 meters.
Mayr's Swiftlet is an obligate aerial insectivore, primarily consuming small flying insects such as beetles, flies, moths, and winged ants. It forages by continuously hawking prey on the wing, often in swift, acrobatic pursuits high in the sky.
Mayr's Swiftlet exhibits a highly aerial daily activity pattern, spending most of its daylight hours continuously on the wing, foraging for insects high above the canopy or over open water. As dusk approaches, large numbers converge to roost communally within deep, dark limestone caves, utilizing...
Mayr's Swiftlet is strictly endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago, an island group northeast of mainland Papua New Guinea. Its primary breeding range encompasses the larger islands of New Britain and New Ireland, with isolated populations also recorded on surrounding smaller islands within this arc...
Least Concern
- Mayr's Swiftlet is one of the few bird species in the world capable of echolocation, navigating dark caves by emitting high-frequency clicks. - Its echolocation clicks are audible to the human ear, a rapid series of "chip-chip-chip" sounds, distinguishing it from most bat echolocation which is ...