Philippine Swiftlet
Aerodramus mearnsi
Philippine Swiftlet (Aerodramus mearnsi) — Swifts of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Philippine Swiftlet (Aerodramus mearnsi) is a member of the Apodidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 11.3 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Apodidae Swifts
- Genus Aerodramus
- Species mearnsi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.3 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Apodidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Philippine Swiftlet is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Philippine Swiftlet is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Philippine Swiftlet (Aerodramus mearnsi) is a species of bird in the Apodidae family, part of the order Apodiformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Philippines.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11.3 g, with a wing length of about 10.9 cm and a tail of around 4.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 254,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Philippine Swiftlet?
The Philippine Swiftlet is a very small bird that weighs around 11.3 g.
Where does the Philippine Swiftlet live?
The Philippine Swiftlet is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Philippines, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Philippine Swiftlet belong to?
The Philippine Swiftlet (Aerodramus mearnsi) belongs to the Apodidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Philippine Swiftlet eat?
The Philippine Swiftlet is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Philippine Swiftlet migrate?
The Philippine Swiftlet is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Philippine Swiftlet endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Philippine Swiftlet make?
1 real field recording of the Philippine Swiftlet — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Philippine Swiftlet's range?
The Philippine Swiftlet has a mapped global range of about 254,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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