# Cave Swiftlet

> Cave Swiftlet (Collocalia linchi). This swiftlet occurs on Java, Bali and Lombok (with nearby islands such as Madura, Bawean, Kangean and Nusa Penida) and in parts of Sumatra; species accounts describe woodland foraging and cave nesting.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/collocalia-linchi/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/collocalia-linchi/
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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 Cave Swiftlet (*Collocalia linchi*) is a bird in the family Apodidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Bali. Diet: eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore); a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Collocalia linchi* |
| Indonesian name | Walet linci |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Observation records | Nusa Tenggara, Java, Bali |
| Taxonomic group | Apodiformes |
| GBIF records | 19,161 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2477326) · 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) — Spends the day catching insects on the wing and returns to its roost at night. · [Collocaliini (swiftlets) - Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan (tribe account)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Collocaliini/) |

## What is the Cave Swiftlet?

Cave Swiftlet refers to Collocalia linchi, 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/2477326)

## What is known about the Cave Swiftlet?

This swiftlet occurs on Java, Bali and Lombok (with nearby islands such as Madura, Bawean, Kangean and Nusa Penida) and in parts of Sumatra; species accounts describe woodland foraging and cave nesting.

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%20linchi)

## How many Indonesian records name the Cave Swiftlet?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 19,161 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=2477326&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara, Java, Bali. 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=2477326&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Cave 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 Cave Swiftlet with Glossy 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 Cave Swiftlet

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

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

## Common questions about the Cave Swiftlet

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

The scientific name of the Cave Swiftlet is *Collocalia linchi*, in the family Apodidae and the order Apodiformes. In Indonesian it is called Walet linci.

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

The Cave 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 Cave Swiftlet live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Cave Swiftlet summarised in this guide mainly come from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Bali. That list is not a complete range map.

### What does the Cave Swiftlet eat?

The Cave 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 Cave Swiftlet reproduce?

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

### Is the Cave Swiftlet nocturnal?

The cited source records the Cave Swiftlet as diurnal (active by day). Spends the day catching insects on the wing and returns to its roost at night. Source: [Collocaliini (swiftlets) - Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan (tribe account)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Collocaliini/).

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 Cave Swiftlet?

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

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 Cave Swiftlet endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Cave 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/2477326), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Cave 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/2477326)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2477326&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/578254)
4. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collocalia%20linchi)
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. [Collocaliini (swiftlets) - Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan (tribe account)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Collocaliini/)
8. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Glossy Swiftlet](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/collocalia-esculenta/)
- [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/)
- [Green Junglefowl](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/gallus-varius/)

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