Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Aerodramus maximus
Family: Swifts · Status: Very common resident and very common introduced resident · Size: 12–13.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Resident in southern Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, and Indonesia.
A small swiftlet with greyish-brown upperparts, dull rump band and paler underparts. Indistinguishable from Edible-nest Swiftlet in flight, and can only be conclusively identified by the more heavily feathered tarsi (in hand), or by its blackish nest made of saliva and feathers. Lays one egg, unlike the two eggs of the Edible-nest Swiftlet.
Forests, clearings, coast, lowlands, and out at sea; nests colonially in coastal caves and man-made structures.
Very commonly encountered all over Singapore. Feeds on small aerial insects in flight. Flight pattern is erratic, consisting of frequent flapping and changes of direction. Usually flies higher over the tree line and has a slower, less chaotic flight than Plume-toed Swiftlet.