Silver-backed Needletail vs White-collared Swift
Hirundapus cochinchinensis compared with Streptoprocne zonaris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Silver-backed Needletail | White-collared Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hirundapus cochinchinensis | Streptoprocne zonaris |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.6 cm (14.4 in) | 42.5 cm (16.7 in) |
| Weight | 85.97999999999999 g (3.03 oz) | 106.45 g (3.75 oz) |
| Diet | Obligate aerial forager on small insects and airborne spiders; among the fastest-flying of all swift … | Obligate aerial insectivore; gathers small flying insects, winged ants, and airborne spiders during flight. |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Silver-backed Needletail
Dry, rattling trill with softer ending; rapid series of clipped notes dropping slightly in pitch as the bird gains speed.
White-collared Swift
Loud, screaming 'shreee-shreee'; powerful screeching trill; calls from large flocks over mountains; very audible; one of the loudest Neotropical swifts; alarm a harsh rattle
Geographic Range & Migration
Silver-backed Needletail
Found from northeastern India and China through Southeast Asia to the Greater Sundas. Partially migratory; winters south in forest and open areas.
White-collared Swift
Found from Mexico south through Central America to South America east of the Andes, reaching Bolivia and southern Brazil. Often in large flocks.
Conservation Status
Silver-backed Needletail
White-collared Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Silver-backed Needletail
Large; blackish-brown body; distinctive large silvery-white back patch between wings; white throat and undertail coverts; short spiny tail; Southeast Asian species closely resembling White-throated Needletail but silvery-white saddle more extensive.
White-collared Swift
Large; glossy blue-black plumage with bold broad white collar encircling entire neck; collar clean and complete; underparts black; large slightly forked tail; among the most recognisable Neotropical swifts due to …
About These Birds
Silver-backed Needletail
A large needletail swift (19-20 cm) found in hill and montane forests from India through Southeast Asia. Dark plumage with a silver-grey back and white throat. Spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore with powerful, rapid flight. Resident and partial migrant.
White-collared Swift
A very large swift (20-22 cm, wingspan 45-55 cm) with a bold white collar band, the largest New World swift. Found from Mexico to southern Brazil and the Caribbean. Aerial insectivore, foraging in large, noisy flocks over forests and cities. Nests behind waterfalls and in caves.