Indian Swiftlet
Aerodramus unicolor
Indian Swiftlet (Aerodramus unicolor) — 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 Indian Swiftlet (Aerodramus unicolor) is a member of the Apodidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 11 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 unicolor
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Apodidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Indian Swiftlet is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Indian Swiftlet is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Indian Swiftlet (Aerodramus unicolor) is a member of the Apodidae family, within the order Apodiformes. Its range spans South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR sw India and Sri Lanka.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11 g, with a wing length of about 11.3 cm and a tail of around 5.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 249,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Indian Swiftlet?
The Indian Swiftlet is a very small bird that weighs around 11 g.
Where does the Indian Swiftlet live?
The Indian Swiftlet is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR sw India and Sri Lanka, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Indian Swiftlet belong to?
The Indian Swiftlet (Aerodramus unicolor) belongs to the Apodidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Indian Swiftlet eat?
The Indian Swiftlet is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Indian Swiftlet migrate?
The Indian Swiftlet is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Indian 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 Indian Swiftlet make?
1 real field recording of the Indian Swiftlet — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Indian Swiftlet's range?
The Indian Swiftlet has a mapped global range of about 249,000 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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