Quick answer
IUCN status: Least ConcernHouse Swift at a glance
The House Swift (Apus nipalensis) is a bird in the family Apodidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Java, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi. Diet: eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore); a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.
| Scientific name | Apus nipalensis |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Kapinis rumah |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Observation records | Java, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi |
| Taxonomic group | Apodiformes |
| GBIF records | 3,991 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) · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt |
In this guide (12)
What is the House Swift?
House Swift refers to Apus nipalensis, in the genus Apus, 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 House Swift?
The house swift is an apodid spending much time on the wing; wing shape and nesting context are safer clues than unverified claims about flight physiology.
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 House Swift?
When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 3,991 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 Java, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi. 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 House Swift?
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 House Swift with Cave Swiftlet, Glossy Swiftlet, White-nest 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 House Swift
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Genus | Apus |
| Species | Apus nipalensis |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the House Swift
What is the scientific name of the House Swift?
The scientific name of the House Swift is Apus nipalensis, in the family Apodidae and the order Apodiformes. In Indonesian it is called Kapinis rumah.
What kind of animal is the House Swift?
The House Swift 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 House Swift live in Indonesia?
Observation records of the House Swift summarised in this guide mainly come from Java, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi. That list is not a complete range map.
What does the House Swift eat?
The House Swift 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 House Swift reproduce?
The House Swift reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).
Is the House Swift nocturnal?
The cited source records the House Swift as diurnal (active by day). Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What is the scientific classification of the House Swift?
Scientific classification of the House Swift: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Apodiformes, family Apodidae, genus Apus, species Apus nipalensis.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the House Swift endangered?
No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the House Swift 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 House Swift 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) ↗
- EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt ↗
- 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. House Swift (Apus nipalensis). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/apus-nipalensis/