THE CAVE ECOLOGY OF SWIFTLET

THE CAVE ECOLOGY

Cave ecology of swiftlet is the most natural ecology of the swiftlet to live in. It is fundamental to know the roots of this bird before examining the details of its prospects and opportunities especially in term of swiftlet farming.

Let's start with Guano (which refers to any form of dung used as an agricultural fertilizer) from both the swiftlets and the bats that inhabit the caves supports a huge array of specialized animals that feed on the dung. 

 

  

guano is a highly effective fertilizer due to its exceptionally high content of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium: nutrients essential for plant growth.

 cave-dwelling bats also involved in the ecology of cave swiftlet

Other creatures that have evolved to feed on these dung eaters are snakes that can climb the sheer walls to snatch a passing meal and huge carnivorous crickets that prey on chicks and bat pups. 

Ain't normal crickets : These
crickets are carnivores.

                                    Getting bats:A snake pictured                                         

eating a bat.          

                                    

                                                             

This cave fauna ecosystem is self-sustaining, the only link with the outside being the birds and the bats that bring the nutrients into the caves in the first place.

  

The cave ecosystem plays a huge role in the cave ecology of the cave swiftlet

  

The picture of cave swiftlets in their own natural habitat

REFERENCES :

1. www.birdlife.org.au
2. http://www.bt.com.bn/life/2007/11/04/taman_negaras_rich_cave_ecosystem
3. http://deadinsects.net/images/1347851628883526594344.jpeg
4. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Guano.jpg/220px-Guano.jpg
5. http://photos.travellerspoint.com/224248/DSC09658.jpg
6. http://www.bt.com.bn/files/images/photos/2007-11-04/racer_ba0.jpg
7. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e0/43/40/e0434091e98f977d36c0c59197348bf9.jpg
8. http://www.birdlife.org.au/images/uploads/blog_images/MAGswifts580.jpg\