ACOUSTIC ORIENTATION IN THE CAVE SWIFTLET

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Abstract
Collocalia brevirostris orient acoustically in poor light and visually in good light much like the oilbird, Steatornis, and the fruit bat, Rousettus. In poor light, the birds emit sounds of characteristic pattern with a principal frequency of 4-5 kc. and an initial high Amplitude portion of about 2-6 milliseconds duration followed by a much longer, low amplitude portion of undetermined significance. The repetition rate varies inversely with the amount of light and increases when the bird encounters obstacles with a maximum of about 5-10 clicks/sec. Apparently echolocation does not occur in all species of Collocalia. The ability to nest in dark caves is probably associated with acoustic orientation.

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