Madagascar Spinetail
Zoonavena grandidieri
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="zoonavena-grandidieri"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/zoonavena-grandidieri/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/zoonavena-grandidieri/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/zoonavena-grandidieri/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="zoonavena-grandidieri"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized spinetail swift (12-13 cm) endemic to Madagascar. Dark plumage with a pale rump and short, spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest and woodland. Nests in tree hollows. Found throughout Madagascar's remaining forested areas.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 24.9 cm | 9.8 in |
| Weight | 9.25 g | 0.33 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Tiny; dark brown-black upperparts; contrasting white rump patch; underparts pale whitish; short spiny tail; Malagasy endemic; white rump is the most diagnostic feature, recalling swiftlets but with characteristic spinetail tail tip.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Endemic to Madagascar. Resident in forest edge and open areas across the island. Nests in hollow palms and rock crevices.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate aerial forager on small insects and airborne spiders; among the fastest-flying of all swift species.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CR,CV.
Sound
Song
Rapid, high-pitched chittering calls in flight; thin, insect-like trilling notes delivered in quick bursts above forest canopy.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Zoonavena |
| Species | Zoonavena grandidieri |
Distribution
Madagascar Spinetail has been recorded in 1 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Madagascar Spinetail eat?
Where does the Madagascar Spinetail live?
Is the Madagascar Spinetail endangered?
How does the Madagascar Spinetail nest?
What does the Madagascar Spinetail sound like?
How big is the Madagascar Spinetail?
What order and family does the Madagascar Spinetail belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family