A significant northward range extension of the White-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) in Kachin State, Myanmar

Myint Naung; Htay Htay Oo; Ni Mar; Khin Khin Gyi; Khin Pyae Pyae Thaw Thar

Authors

Myint Naung Department of Zoology, Mohnyin University, 01111, Kachin State, Myanmar
Htay Htay Oo Department of Zoology, Mohnyin University, 01111, Kachin State, Myanmar
Ni Mar Department of Zoology, Mohnyin University, 01111, Kachin State, Myanmar
Khin Khin Gyi Department of Zoology, Mohnyin University, 01111, Kachin State, Myanmar
Khin Pyae Pyae Thaw Thar Department of Zoology, Myitkyina University, 01012, Kachin State, Myanmar

Keywords:

Aerodramus fuciphagus, edible bird’s nest, Kachin State, northern Myanmar, range extension, White-nest Swiftlet

Abstract

The White-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus Thunberg, 1812) is primarily documented as a coastal and island-dwelling species in Myanmar, with its known distribution largely restricted to the southern regions. Here, we report a significant northward and inland range extension of A. fuciphagus into Kachin State, Northern Myanmar. The records are based on systematic observations conducted from October 2023 to December 2025 at Mohnyin University and Polytechnic University, Myitkyina. Species identification was established through diagnostic morphological characters and nesting ecology, specifically the presence of edible nests composed entirely of hardened white saliva, a distinct pale rump band, and unfeathered tarsi. Our findings confirm the successful colonization of inland anthropogenic habitats by this species, extending its known range far beyond the previously recognized coastal limits in Myanmar. This record provides a crucial update to the species’ distributional biogeography and emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring of swiftlet populations in inland Southeast Asia.

References

Abdullah, D.A., M.I.I. Mamat, M.A. Rahman and W.A. Azmi. 2025. A review on Aerodramus spp. in tropical ecosystems; emphasis on food sources for edible bird nest (EBN) production. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management 20(5): 1109–1121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46754/jssm.2025.05.013.

Aowphol, A., H.K. Voris, K.A. Feldheim, P. Harnyuttanakorn and K. Thirakhupt. 2008. Genetic homogeneity among colonies of the White-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) in Thailand. Zoological Science 25: 372–380.

BirdLife International. 2025. Aerodramus fuciphagus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: Downloaded from www.iucnredlist.org/species/60847684/263659357 on 25 January 2026.

Cranbrook, K., W.L. Goh, C.K. Lim and M.A. Rahman. 2013. The species of white-nest swiftlets (Apodidae, Collocaliini) of Malaysia and the origins of house-farm birds: morphometric and genetic evidence. Forktail 29: 107–119.

Dai, Y., J. Cao, Y. Wang, Y. Chen and L. Jiang. 2021. A comprehensive review of edible bird’s nest. Food Research International 140: 109875.

Jamalluddin, N.H., N.A. Tukiran, A. Fadzillah and S. Fathi. 2019. Overview of edible bird’s nests and their contemporary issue. Food control 104: 247–255.

Robson, C. 2015. A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia, Helm Field Guides, Bloomsbury Publishing, London. 544 pp.

Sankaran, R. 1998. The Impact of Nest Collection on the Edible-nest Swiftlet Collocalia fuciphaga in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History, Coimbatore. 43 pp.

Wang, B., Y. Shen, Q. Lian and J. Ma. 2013. Breeding biology and conservation strategy of the Himalayan swiftlet (Aerodramus brevirostris innominata) in southern China. Biodiversity Science 21(1): 54–61.

Zulkefle, N.N., M.A. Ibrahim, N.F. Azuan, S.E. Ch’ng, N. Ismail, M.Z. Abu Bakar and K.W. Chan. 2024. A review on the edible bird’s nest quality and manufacturing standards of the three largest exporting countries in the world. Journal of Food Quality 2024: 1–23.