Seychelles Swiftlet

Aerodramus elaphrus

Small gray swift with a slightly paler rump and belly. Flight is fast but erratic, with the wings pushed forward. Only known nesting sites are in a few caves, but can be seen in flight over all habitats on the granitic islands of the Seychelles. The calls include high-pitched twitters and echolocation clicks. Usually easy to identify, as it is the only resident swift on the Seychelles. Vagrant swifts have longer wings and a longer, forked tail. 

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Aerodramus elaphrus
Authority
(Oberholser, 1906)
Order
Apodiformes
Family
Apodidae
Genus
Aerodramus

Range and habitat

Breeding range
IO : Mahé, Praslin and La Digue (Inner Is., ne Seychelles)
Non-breeding range
wanders to North, Silhouette and Aride (Inner Is., ne Seychelles)
Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

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