Whitehead’s Swiftlet

Aerodramus whiteheadi

Whitehead's Swiftlet (Aerodramus whiteheadi) — Swifts of South & Southeast Asia.

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The Whitehead’s Swiftlet (Aerodramus whiteheadi) is a member of the Apodidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 14 g.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

DD Data Deficient

Not enough information to assess its risk of extinction.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Apodiformes
Family Apodidae Swifts
Genus Aerodramus
Species whiteheadi

Where it lives

Montane Luzon, Negros (subspecies unknown), and Mindanao (Philippines)

South & Southeast Asia

Quick facts

Weight: 14 g
Diet: Invertebrate-eaters
Family: Apodidae
Order: Apodiformes
Habitat: Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Data Deficient

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Whitehead’s 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 Whitehead’s Swiftlet is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Whitehead’s Swiftlet (Aerodramus whiteheadi) belongs to the Apodidae family of the order Apodiformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR montane Luzon, Negros (subspecies unknown), and Mindanao (Philippines).

It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 14 g, with a wing length of about 13.6 cm and a tail of around 5 cm.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 12,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Whitehead’s Swiftlet?

The Whitehead’s Swiftlet is a very small bird that weighs around 14 g.

Where does the Whitehead’s Swiftlet live?

The Whitehead’s Swiftlet is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR montane Luzon, Negros (subspecies unknown), and Mindanao (Philippines), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Whitehead’s Swiftlet belong to?

The Whitehead’s Swiftlet (Aerodramus whiteheadi) belongs to the Apodidae family, in the order Apodiformes.

What does the Whitehead’s Swiftlet eat?

The Whitehead’s Swiftlet is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Does the Whitehead’s Swiftlet migrate?

The Whitehead’s Swiftlet is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

How large is the Whitehead’s Swiftlet's range?

The Whitehead’s Swiftlet has a mapped global range of about 12,000 km².