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Glossy Swiftlet

Collocalia esculenta

Description:

Apodidae; Collocalia esculenta (Linnaeus, 1758). Small black Swift with extra long wings. When I walk under their nests, they swoop back and forth just above my head trying to scare me off with machine-gun-like bursts of chirps.

Habitat:

Behind our house, there is a concrete tower which supports a water tank. The beams on the underside of the platform make corners where they join. These corners seem to be ideal for these swifts. They have been been building nests there, generation after generation for about 18 years, ever since the tower was built. Just before starting to put together this spotting, I went out to check and saw that right now there are three occupied nests.

Notes:

These handsome, streamlined little birds are delightful to have around the outside of the house. Many of you will have seen a recent TV documentary about a certain part of China where people provide little nesting boxes, for these swifts, inside inside their houses because they believe that it brings them luck. I think that is just wonderful, but the documentary did not mention, as far as I can remember, the "downside". When I walk under our water tower, I don't need to look up to see if there are birds in residence. I just look at the base of the columns and if there are birds, there are also little mountains of droppings on the concrete flooring. More seriously, these birds do not appear to be very good nest builders. Some times they just come back to last season's nest and clean it up a little before settling in to lay, I am not sure, but I think only one egg. That often ends in disaster because I have often seen a fallen nest and broken egg on the floor. Sometimes they are more industrious and tear down the old nest, before starting anew with a fresh one. This appears to give a better result.

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3 Comments

SukanyaDatta
SukanyaDatta 2 years ago

How kind, John B, Project Noah is my breath of fresh air and since I have just superannuated I have 8 extra hours to spare...I usually visit PN multiple times a day but never for very extended periods...it refreshes me too. There are a couple of " regulars" on PN whose notes I love reading...you are one. Thanks again.

John B.
John B. 2 years ago

Hi SukanyaDatta, thank you for your kind words. It is nice to hear from you again. I have been looking at some of your spottings (I always like to see other people's work. It kind of refreshes me when I get a little tired of my own efforts). You have so many great spottings. I don't know how you can do so much and still have time to look after others as a ranger. Even if I were much younger, I don't think I would have the energy to manage all that. Thanks again. John B.

SukanyaDatta
SukanyaDatta 2 years ago

Such a beautiful shot and as usual, wonderful notes. Thank you.

John B.
Spotted by
John B.

Palauig, Central Luzon, Philippines

Spotted on May 13, 2016
Submitted on Jun 23, 2022

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