The Ameline swiftlet (Aerodramus amelis), also known as the grey swiftlet, was formerly considered as a subspecies of the uniform swiftlet. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. Despite some fears around conservation, the species remains a Least-concern species.[1][2]
| Ameline swiftlet | |
|---|---|
_hunting_by_echolocation_(cropped).JPG)
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| Photo of the "A. a. palawanesis", one of its subspecies | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Strisores |
| Order: | Apodiformes |
| Family: | Apodidae |
| Genus: | Aerodramus |
| Species: | A. amelis
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| Binomial name | |
| Aerodramus amelis (Oberholser, 1906)
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| Synonyms | |
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Description and taxonomy
editEbird describes this species as "Medium-sized brownish swiftlet with a weakly forked tail. Found only in the Philippine lowlands. Typically encountered alone or in loose groups over various open habitats, often soaring high. Fairly uniform brown plumage, lack of a pale rump, and size distinguish this species from most others in the area; Philippine Swiftlet is the most similar but is smaller, has a more square-tipped tail, and generally favors higher elevations (typically 700 meters and above)."[2]
Subspecies
editTwo subspecies are recognised:[3]
- A. a. amelis (Oberholser, 1906) – Philippines (except Palawan group)
- A. a. palawanensis (Stresemann, 1914) – Palawan group and Balambangan Island (north of northeast Borneo)
Ecology and behavior
editIt feeds small insects in flight. Forms groups of up to 40 individuals associating with other swiftlets.
Typically nests in dark caves. Nest is round, composted of plant matter, moss and saliva. Average clutch is just 1-2 eggs. Not much else is known about its breeding[4]
Habitat and conservation
editSeen in a wide range of habitat including coastal areas, forest and agricultural lands and grassland.
International Union for Conservation of Nature does not yet recognize this as its own species. It has asssessed its parent species, the Uniform swiftlet as least-concern species.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Ameline Swiftlet - Aerodramus amelis". Observation.org. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
- ^ a b "Ameline Swiftlet - eBird". ebird.org (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-01-29.
- ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2022). "Owlet-nightjars, treeswifts & swifts". IOC World Bird List Version 12.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Kirwan, Guy M.; Chantler, Philip (2024). "Ameline Swiftlet (Aerodramus amelis), version 2.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.palswi2.02species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ IUCN (2018-08-09). Aerodramus vanikorensis: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T60835335A132039270 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2018-2.rlts.t60835335a132039270.en.
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