Black Spinetail
Telacanthura melanopygia
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<birdfyi-bird slug="telacanthura-melanopygia"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized spinetail swift (14-15 cm) of lowland rainforests in West and Central Africa. All-dark plumage. Spine-tipped tail for bracing against tree trunks. Aerial insectivore, foraging above the forest canopy. Nests inside hollow trees. Uncommon and seldom observed.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 32.4 cm | 12.8 in |
| Weight | 52.0 g | 1.83 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Large; entirely black plumage with slight gloss; black rump unlike white-rumped congeners; underparts dark; spiny tail; West African forest species; all-black coloration with no contrasting markings distinguishes it from all other spinetails.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in West and Central Africa from Nigeria and Cameroon east to Uganda. Resident in lowland rainforest and forest edge.
Diet & Feeding
High-speed aerial insectivore catching small flying insects and aerial spiders during fast sustained flight.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CR.
Sound
Song
Deep, resonant chattering with gravelly undertones; series of rough churring notes interspersed with sharp screaming calls.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Telacanthura |
| Species | Telacanthura melanopygia |
Distribution
Black Spinetail has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Black Spinetail eat?
Where does the Black Spinetail live?
Is the Black Spinetail endangered?
How does the Black Spinetail nest?
What does the Black Spinetail sound like?
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What order and family does the Black Spinetail belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family