THE ECOLOGY OF SWIFTLET

THE ECOLOGY

In this post, you can look a closer look about the ecology of swiflet. First of all, ecology can be defined as the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. So, let see the ecology of this creature that arguably unique.

 The swift family in most species are very similar but well-defined of its group.

 

An image of internal systematics; the plumage is usually dull, with shades of black, brown, and grey; from their outward appearance.

Swiftlets have four toes, except the Papuan swiftlet which lacks the hallux (back toe).

 

Image of Papuan swiftlet a.k.a three toed swiftlet

 

Their legs are very short, preventing the birds from perching, but allowing them to cling to vertical surfaces. Flight is mainly gliding due to very long primary feathers and small breast muscles.

                                                        

The larger species of Aerodramus swiftlets weigh about 14 grams and are 10 cm long.

Typically, they leave the cave during the day to forage and return to their roost at night. 

Males and females look similar; as usual in such cases, these birds are monogamous and both partners take part in caring for the nestlings.

Males perform aerial displays to attract females and mating occurs at the nest.

 The breeding season overlaps the wet season, which corresponds to an increased insect population.

Clutch size depends on the location and the food source, but it is generally not large; Aerodramus swiftlets lay 1 to 2 eggs.

 

The eggs are a dull white color and are laid every other day.

Swiftlets in temperate zones do migrate, but most Aerodramus swiftlets live in the tropical 

Indo-Pacific region and do not migrate.

FLY TO SURVIVE: an image of migrating swift

The genus Aerodramus is of special interest due to its saliva nests which are collected to sell at extremely high prices.

The high demand for these nests could have had an adverse effect on their populations but other authorities have shown that modern techniques of nest farming have increased the bird population.

REFERENCES: 

1. http://www.firstimperialbirdsnest.com/2014/07/
2. http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn
3. http://image.shutterstock.com/z/stock-vector-set-of-black-isolated-vector-silhouettes-of-birds-barn-swallow-swift-house-martin-sparrow-238122706.jpg
4. http://www.taenos.com/img/ITIS/Aerodramus-papuensis/Three-toed-Swiftlet-9.jpg
5. http://carolinabirds.org/Images7LG/Swiftlet,_Mascarene_KevinLePape.jpg
6. https://ayuwat.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/img_5799.jpg
7. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKp_e_VSxzoIYB3VhwqQOjymm0aTN3_PrivIYPHlK-Mac9rEVoUPaOtb5Mci9NUJ7M8GyJmaeLjavl_EpQXUK20dx8br6puar1b91h5fS5_W_1-uYuqeHtWVWyt59a8IjVSmxnIjc3JAc/s1600/Swiftlet+and+egg.jpg
8. http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/swift_gpc_tcm9-96899.jpg?width=1184&crop=%280,180,1400,764%29
9. http://www.firstimperialbirdsnest.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Nest-1.jpg