WHITE-RUMPED SWIFTLET
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFTLET: Collocalia spodiopygius 11 cm In Australia the White-rumped Swiftlet is restricted to Queensland and occurs throughout most of the Wet tropics. It is distinguished from the similar swallows and martins by its stiff-winged, fluttering flight. Like small bats it has sonar ability, navigating in dark caves by the process of echolocation. They 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. (Source: Department of Environment) These dark roosting and nesting sites are used throughout the year. Around 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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