Pygmy swiftlet: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:35, 1 May 2022

Latest revision as of 00:42, 28 May 2025

(8 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)

Line 1:

{{shortShort description|Species of bird}}

{{Speciesbox

| name = Pygmy swiftlet

| image =

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2018 |title=''Collocalia troglodytes'' |volume=2018 |page=e.T22686504A130107820 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22686504A130107820.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>

| genus = Collocalia

| species = troglodytes

| authority = [[George Robert Gray|Gray, GR]], 1845

| synonyms =

}}

The '''pygmy swiftlet''' ('''''Collocalia troglodytes''''') is a species of [[Swift (bird)|swift]] in the family [[Apodidae]]. It is [[Endemism|endemic]] to the [[Philippines]].

Its natural [[habitat]] is subtropical or tropical moist lowland [[forest]]s. At under {{convert|9|cm|in|abbr=on}}, it is the world's smallest swift. It weighs only 5 grams.

Swiftlets that nest in complete darkness in caves can use [[Animal echolocation|echolocation]], the ability to position an object by reflected sound, used by other animals such as dolphins and bats.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

== Description and taxonomy ==

Ebird describes this species " A tiny, common swiftlet found over lowland forest. Gray below with a paler belly, a darker throat, and dark patches on the underside of the base of the forewing. Black above with a distinctive white band on the rump. Tail square, and dark under the base. Nests in caves, where it uses echolocation. Similar to Gray-rumped Swiftlet, but Pygmy is slightly smaller, with a cleaner white rump band. Gives grating calls in flight."

This species is monotypic.

== Ecology and behavior ==

It feeds small insects in flight. Forms small groups when foraging.

Swiftlets that nest in complete darkness in caves can use [[Animal echolocation|echolocation]], the ability to position an object by reflected sound, used by other animals such as dolphins and bats. Breeding season varies per island but usually within the window from May to September<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chantler |first1=Philip |last2=Boesman |first2=Peter F. D. |date=2020 |title=Pygmy Swiftlet (Collocalia troglodytes), version 1.0 |url=https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/pygswi2/1.0/introduction |journal=Birds of the World |language=en |doi=10.2173/bow.pygswi2.01 |issn=2771-3105|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== Habitat and conservation ==

This is a lowland species thats mostly found near forest and bodies of water.

[[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] has assessed this species as a [[least-concern species]] as it has a large range and is common. However, it has a declining population due to deforestation from [[land conversion]], [[Illegal logging]] and [[Slash-and-burn|slash-and-burn farming.]]<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22686504/130107820 |title=Collocalia troglodytes: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22686504A130107820 |last=IUCN |date=2018-08-07 |publisher=International Union for Conservation of Nature |doi=10.2305/iucn.uk.2018-2.rlts.t22686504a130107820.en |language=en}}</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist}}<!-- FieldianaZool106:58. -->

* Price, J. J., Johnson, K. P., & Clayton, D. H. (2004). The Evolution of echolocation in Swiftlets. Journal of Avian Biology 35(2), 135–143. doi: 10.1111/j.0908-8857.2004.03182.x

* Thomassen, H. A., Den Tex, R., De Bakker, M., & Povel, G. (2005). Phylogenetic relationship among Swifts and Swiflets . Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 37(1), 264–277. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2005.05.010

{{Taxonbar|from=Q244309}}