Photo: Andrewbogott / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Plume-toed Swiftlet
Collocalia affinis
Plume-toed Swiftlet (Collocalia affinis) — Swifts of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Plume-toed Swiftlet (Collocalia affinis) is a member of the Apodidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 5.9 g.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Apodidae Swifts
- Genus Collocalia
- Species affinis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 5.9 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Apodidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Plume-toed 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 Plume-toed Swiftlet is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Plume-toed Swiftlet (Collocalia affinis) is a species of bird in the Apodidae family, part of the order Apodiformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR e Indian Ocean, Malay Pen., Sumatra and Borneo.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 5.9 g, with a wing length of about 9.4 cm and a tail of around 3.6 cm.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Plume-toed Swiftlet?
The Plume-toed Swiftlet is a very small bird that weighs around 5.9 g.
Where does the Plume-toed Swiftlet live?
The Plume-toed Swiftlet is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR e Indian Ocean, Malay Pen., Sumatra and Borneo, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Plume-toed Swiftlet belong to?
The Plume-toed Swiftlet (Collocalia affinis) belongs to the Apodidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Plume-toed Swiftlet eat?
The Plume-toed Swiftlet is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Plume-toed Swiftlet migrate?
The Plume-toed Swiftlet is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
What sound does the Plume-toed Swiftlet make?
1 real field recording of the Plume-toed Swiftlet — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
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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