Editing Swiftlet (section)

{{short description|Tribe of birds in the swift family}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Swiftlets
| image = AerodramusMaximus.Wokoti.jpg
| image_caption = [[Black-nest swiftlet]]
| taxon = Collocaliini
| authority =
| subdivision_ranks = [[Genera]]
| subdivision = 
*''[[Aerodramus]]''
*''[[Collocalia]]''
*''[[Hydrochous]]''
*''[[Schoutedenapus]]''
}}

'''Swiftlets''' are [[bird]]s from the four [[genera]] ''[[Aerodramus]]'', ''[[Collocalia]]'', ''[[Hydrochous]]'' and ''[[Schoutedenapus]]'', which form the [[tribe (biology)|tribe]] '''Collocaliini''' within the [[swift (bird)|swift]] [[family (biology)|family]] [[Apodidae]]. The group contains around thirty [[species]] mostly confined to southern [[Asia]], south [[Pacific]] islands, and northeastern [[Australia]], all within the [[tropical]] and [[subtropical]] regions. They are in many respects typical members of the Apodidae, having narrow [[wing]]s for fast flight, with a wide gape and small reduced [[beak]] surrounded by [[bristle]]s for catching insects in flight. What distinguishes many but not all species from other swifts and indeed almost all other birds<ref>The [[oilbird]] is a notable exception. The presence of echolocation was formerly used to argue for a close relationship of the Apodiformes and the oilbird, but the actual situation is more complicated. ''See also'': [[Caprimulgiformes]].</ref> is their ability to use a simple but effective form of [[animal echolocation|echolocation]] to navigate in total darkness through the chasms and shafts of the [[cave]]s where they roost at night and breed.

The nests of some species are built entirely from solidified threads of their [[saliva]], which are edible and thus collected for human consumption as the famous [[Chinese cuisine|Chinese]] [[delicacy]], the [[bird's nest soup]].