About swallow nest, swiftlet, edible bird’s nest

WHITE-RUMPED SWIFTLET

May 11th, 2006

Collocalia spodiopygius 11 cm
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·            In Australia the White-rumped Swiftlet is restricted to Queensland and occurs
  throughout most of the Wet tropics.

·           Like small bats it has sonar ability, navigating in dark caves by the process of
 echolocation.

·          These dark roosting and nesting sites are used throughout the year.  The nest is a
  tiny bracket of plant material, cemented to the cave wall or roof by the bird’s saliva.

·      It is distinguished from the similar swallows and martins by its stiff-winged,
  fluttering flight.  

·      White-rumped Swiftlets build their nests in very large cavities - caves. Colonies of tiny cup-shaped bracket nests, made from plant matter and feathers cemented together with hardened saliva, are glued closely together on the rock walls. Usually one white egg is laid in each. The swiftlets negotiate the dark caves using echo-location. (Source: Department of Environment) 

·      Round Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodge it occurs most commonly when there
  is heavy rainfall along the coast, that forces many birds to forage farther inland than
  usual.  

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