About the Linchi Swiftlet
The cave swiftlet or linchi swiftlet is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. It is found on the Indonesia islands of Sumatra, Java and Bali. It is a woodland species and nests in caves. The Bornean swiftlet was considered a subspecies, but is now usually considered distinct.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
This bird is shiny blackish-brown above with a greenish gloss, including its rump; sometimes looks black and hooded. Chest black; belly to flanks pale grey with fine black speckles at margins. Wing tips are rounded; underwing is black. Tail black, rounded with shallow notch but lacking the white specks found in the very similar glossy swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta). A distinguishing feature between the two species is that the glossy swiftlet has a tuft of feathers on its hind toe but the cave swiftlet has a naked toe. It is 9 to 11.5 cm (3.5 to 4.5 in) in length.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Linchi Swiftlet lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Malaysia.
When to see the Linchi Swiftlet
Peak activity in August · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Glossy SwiftletCollocalia esculentaThis bird is shiny black-blue above, including its rump; sometimes looks black and hooded.
Grey-rumped SwiftletCollocalia marginataThe grey-rumped swiftlet is 9–10 cm (3.5–3.9 in) in length with a square tail.
Pygmy SwiftletCollocalia troglodytesThe pygmy swiftlet is a species of swift in the family Apodidae.
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