Description:
The wings and tail are dark black. The back is dark brown, with a lighter belly than the back. There is a wide, light-colored band on the flanks. The dark feathers on the back have white down. Sometimes, there are a few small feathers on the inner side of the legs. The eyes are black, and the beak is black.
Biology:
Nests are made of edible white saliva. They nest in colonies within coastal caves, from December to June of the following year, laying eggs from March to July. They lay 1-2 eggs. The main food source is small insects that fly in the air.
Habitat and Ecology:
They live and nest on islands or coastal strips. They live in colonies, forming large groups, sometimes with tens of thousands of nests. They forage on land. The main threat is humans (nest exploitation).
Distribution:
- Vietnam: Nesting occurs from approximately 18° North latitude southward to Quảng Bình (Vĩnh Sơn Island, Chùa Island, La Island), Đà Nẵng (Cù Lao Chàm), Quảng Ngãi (Đồi Mồi Island, Nối Island, Ngoại Island, etc.), Côn Đảo, Phú Quốc, Nam Du, and Thổ Chu.
- World: Gulf of Thailand, Southwest Borneo, Palawan.
Value:
The nests have high export value. They have economic and scientific value.
Status:
They are frequently exploited in all areas within their distribution. Some swiftlet farms have been protected, but the population growth rate is slow. Threat level: T (Threatened).
Proposed Conservation Measures:
Exploitation must be rational, and swiftlet farms must be well protected. Indiscriminate exploitation should be promptly prevented.