# Glossy Swiftlet

> Glossy Swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta). The glossy swiftlet is an apodid that searches for food in flight; in its current narrower sense it ranges from Sulawesi and the Moluccas east to Papua and the islands beyond.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/collocalia-esculenta/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/collocalia-esculenta/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

The Glossy Swiftlet (*Collocalia esculenta*) 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.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Collocalia esculenta* |
| Indonesian name | Walet sapi |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Observation records | Papua, Sulawesi, Maluku |
| Taxonomic group | Apodiformes |
| GBIF records | 12,423 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2477292) · 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)](https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/AVONET_morphological_ecological_and_geographical_data_for_all_birds_Tobias_et_al_2021_Ecology_Letters_/16586228) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) — Flocks near roosts at dawn and dusk when leaving and returning. · [Dhamorikar et al. 2020, Crepuscular hunting of swiftlets by Besra in the urban areas of the Andaman Islands, India - Journal of Threatened Taxa 12(17) (PDF)](https://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/download/5397/7186/36694) |

## What is the Glossy Swiftlet?

Glossy Swiftlet refers to Collocalia esculenta, in the genus Collocalia, 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.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2477292)

## What is known about the Glossy Swiftlet?

The glossy swiftlet is an apodid that searches for food in flight; in its current narrower sense it ranges from Sulawesi and the Moluccas east to Papua and the islands beyond.

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](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collocalia%20esculenta)

## How many Indonesian records name the Glossy Swiftlet?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 12,423 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](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2477292&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## 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](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2477292&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Glossy 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 Glossy Swiftlet with Cave Swiftlet, White-nest Swiftlet, Uniform 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 Glossy Swiftlet

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Genus | *Collocalia* |
| Species | *Collocalia esculenta* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Glossy Swiftlet

### What is the scientific name of the Glossy Swiftlet?

The scientific name of the Glossy Swiftlet is *Collocalia esculenta*, in the family Apodidae and the order Apodiformes. In Indonesian it is called Walet sapi.

### What kind of animal is the Glossy Swiftlet?

The Glossy 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 Glossy Swiftlet live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Glossy Swiftlet summarised in this guide mainly come from Papua, Sulawesi, Maluku. That list is not a complete range map.

### What does the Glossy Swiftlet eat?

The Glossy 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)](https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/AVONET_morphological_ecological_and_geographical_data_for_all_birds_Tobias_et_al_2021_Ecology_Letters_/16586228).

### How does the Glossy Swiftlet reproduce?

The Glossy Swiftlet reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352).

### Is the Glossy Swiftlet nocturnal?

The cited source records the Glossy Swiftlet as diurnal (active by day). Flocks near roosts at dawn and dusk when leaving and returning. Source: [Dhamorikar et al. 2020, Crepuscular hunting of swiftlets by Besra in the urban areas of the Andaman Islands, India - Journal of Threatened Taxa 12(17) (PDF)](https://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/download/5397/7186/36694).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of the Glossy Swiftlet?

Scientific classification of the Glossy Swiftlet: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Apodiformes, family Apodidae, genus *Collocalia*, species *Collocalia esculenta*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the Glossy Swiftlet endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Glossy 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)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2477292), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Glossy Swiftlet is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2477292)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2477292&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/559414)
4. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collocalia%20esculenta)
5. [AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022)](https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/AVONET_morphological_ecological_and_geographical_data_for_all_birds_Tobias_et_al_2021_Ecology_Letters_/16586228)
6. [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352)
7. [Dhamorikar et al. 2020, Crepuscular hunting of swiftlets by Besra in the urban areas of the Andaman Islands, India - Journal of Threatened Taxa 12(17) (PDF)](https://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/download/5397/7186/36694)
8. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Cave Swiftlet](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/collocalia-linchi/)
- [White-nest Swiftlet](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/aerodramus-fuciphagus/)
- [Uniform Swiftlet](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/aerodramus-vanikorensis/)
- [Gray-rumped Treeswift](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hemiprocne-longipennis/)
- [House Swift](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/apus-nipalensis/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Glossy Swiftlet. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/collocalia-esculenta/