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Australian Swiftlet
(Aerodramus terraereginae)
: "Grey-rumped Swiftlet", "Grey Swiftlet", "Moth-bird" (formerly
part of "White-rumped Swiftlet" [Aerodramus spodiopygius])
Size: 11-12 cm; wing span 10.7-11.8 cm
Weight: 8.5-12.5 g
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Similar species |
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Physical description |
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Click here for a physical description
Australian Swiftlets are small swifts. The head is dark-grey,
the body is dappled grey. The underwings and undertail are
all dark-grey. The top (back of the head, upperwings, tail)
is dark-grey, except for the light-grey rump.
The tail is long, with a squarish tip. The bill is very short;
the eyes are black.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Australian
Swiftlet at Wikipedia .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
.
The global distribution of the Australian Swiftlet is available
HERE
.
Australian Swiftlets are endemic to north-eastern Australia. Their
range extends from Cape York peninsula along the QLD East coast
and adjacent tablelands, as far South as about Bundaberg, QLD
(rarely into far northern NSW).
Their range also extends out to sea and encompasses the air space
above the Great Barrier Reef.
Australian Swiftlets forage in the air above various types of ground
habitat (e.g. coastal ranges, cliffs and offshore islands). They nest colonially in
caves.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
B. Hensen reports spotting Australian Swiftlets in Cairns, QLD, in
June 2013.
M. Eaton reports finding Australian Swiftlets on the Daintree River,
QLD, in July 2018.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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Distant, near-frontal view of an Australian Swiftlet in flight
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Cairns, QLD, June 2013]
Australian Swiftlet in flight
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, July 2018]
Australian Swiftlet in flight (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Cairns, QLD, June 2013]
Australian Swiftlet in flight, different
phase of the wingbeat (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Cairns, QLD, June 2013]
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors.
The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.