Quick answer
IUCN status: Least ConcernUniform Swiftlet at a glance
The Uniform Swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis) is a bird in the family Apodidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Papua, Sulawesi, Maluku. Diet: eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore); a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.
| Scientific name | Aerodramus vanikorensis |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Walet polos |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Observation records | Papua, Sulawesi, Maluku |
| Taxonomic group | Apodiformes |
| GBIF records | 5,926 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore) · AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) — Spends the day catching insects on the wing and returns to its cave at night. · Collocaliini (swiftlets) - Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan (tribe account) |
In this guide (12)
What is the Uniform Swiftlet?
Uniform Swiftlet refers to Aerodramus vanikorensis, in the genus Aerodramus, family Apodidae, and order Apodiformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.
What is known about the Uniform Swiftlet?
The uniform swiftlet has grey-brown plumage, darker upperparts and a shallow forked tail; lookalike swiftlets make clear photos and locality valuable.
Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.
Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗
How many Indonesian records name the Uniform Swiftlet?
When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 5,926 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
Where were observations reported?
Place labels appearing in the results include Papua, Sulawesi, Maluku. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
How can you observe the Uniform Swiftlet?
Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.
Explore related animals
To explore this group further, compare Uniform Swiftlet with White-nest Swiftlet, House Swift, Cave Swiftlet. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.
Scientific classification of the Uniform Swiftlet
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Genus | Aerodramus |
| Species | Aerodramus vanikorensis |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Uniform Swiftlet
What is the scientific name of the Uniform Swiftlet?
The scientific name of the Uniform Swiftlet is Aerodramus vanikorensis, in the family Apodidae and the order Apodiformes. In Indonesian it is called Walet polos.
What kind of animal is the Uniform Swiftlet?
The Uniform Swiftlet is a bird in the family Apodidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore).
Where does the Uniform Swiftlet live in Indonesia?
Observation records of the Uniform Swiftlet summarised in this guide mainly come from Papua, Sulawesi, Maluku. That list is not a complete range map.
What does the Uniform Swiftlet eat?
The Uniform Swiftlet is a eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore). That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022).
How does the Uniform Swiftlet reproduce?
The Uniform Swiftlet reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).
Is the Uniform Swiftlet nocturnal?
The cited source records the Uniform Swiftlet as diurnal (active by day). Spends the day catching insects on the wing and returns to its cave at night. Source: Collocaliini (swiftlets) - Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan (tribe account).
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What is the scientific classification of the Uniform Swiftlet?
Scientific classification of the Uniform Swiftlet: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Apodiformes, family Apodidae, genus Aerodramus, species Aerodramus vanikorensis.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Uniform Swiftlet endangered?
No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Uniform Swiftlet is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Uniform Swiftlet is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).
Sources & references
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
- GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
- iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
- Species account — background reading ↗
- AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022) ↗
- Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
- Collocaliini (swiftlets) - Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan (tribe account) ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Uniform Swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/aerodramus-vanikorensis/