White-throated Needletail

Hirundapus caudacutus(Latham, 1801)

Also known asMalki-malki

Least ConcernNative

Order: APODIFORMES
Family: Apodidae
Genus: Hirundapus

Conservation: Least Concern
Commonness: Very common
Best seen: Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The white-throated needletail, also known as the needle-tailed swift or spine-tailed swift, is a large swift in the genus Hirundapus. It is reputed to reach speeds of up to 170 km/h (110 mph) in horizontal flight, but this is unverified because the methods used to measure its speed have not been published. 75 km/h (47 mph) is more likely, but this is still at least 100 times the bird's length per second.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length: 20 cm
Weight: 101–140 g
Wingspan: 48 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

Groups often appear in large, swirling flocks high in the sky, frequently moving ahead of approaching storm fronts or low-pressure systems.

flight

Watch for incredibly fast, powerful flight characterized by long, scimitar-shaped wings and brief periods of rapid wing-flicking.

plumage

Watch for the stark contrast between the dark body and a bright white throat, alongside a white 'U-shaped' patch extending from the vent up onto the rear flanks.
In good light, a pale silvery-grey 'saddle' is visible on the center of the back, flanked by darker, glossier wings.

size_and_shape

The silhouette is distinctive for its robust, barrel-shaped body and a short, square-ended tail; the namesake spiny 'needles' are rarely visible in flight.

voice