Hirundapus caudacutus
White-throated Needletail
©Tom Tarrant: White-throated Needletail
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Apodiformes
Family
Apodidae
Genus
Hirundapus
Species
Hirundapus caudacutus
Status
least concern
Colours
Distinguishing features
It is a mid sized bird, similar in size to Alpine Swift, but a quite different build, with a heavier barrel-like body. They are black except for a white throat, white undertail, which extends on to the flanks, and a somewhat paler brown back.
They get their name from the spiny end to the tail, which is not forked as in the Apus typical swifts. (Wikipedia)
Size
- Up to 20 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- Up to 40 cm
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
They breed in rocky hills in central Asia and southern Siberia. This species is migratory, wintering south in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. It is a rare vagrant in western Europe, but has been recorded as far west as Norway, Sweden and Great Britain. (Wikipedia)
Behaviour
It is capable of flying speeds up to 170 km/h. (Wikipedia)
Web resources
References
- Simpson, K., N. Day and P. Trusler (2004). Field Guide to Birds of Australia: 7th Edition Penguin Group (Australia), Camberwell, Victoria.