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WHITE-RUMPED SWIFTLET
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFTLET: Collocalia spodiopygius 11 cm
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In Australia the White-rumped Swiftlet is
restricted to Queensland and occurs
throughout most of the Wet tropics.
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Like small bats it has sonar ability, navigating in
dark caves by the process of
echolocation.
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These dark roosting and nesting sites are used
throughout the year. The nest is a
tiny bracket of plant material, cemented to the cave wall or roof by the
bird’s saliva.
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It is distinguished from the similar swallows
and martins by its stiff-winged,
fluttering flight.
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White-rumped
Swiftlets build their nests in very large cavities - caves. Colonies of tiny
cup shaped bracket nests, made from plant matter and feathers cemented together
with hardened saliva, are glued closely together on the rock walls. Usually one
white egg is laid in each. The swiftlets negotiate the dark caves using
echo-location.
(Source: Department of Environment)
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Round
Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodge it occurs most commonly when there
is heavy
rainfall along the coast, that forces many birds to forage farther inland than
usual.
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