Silver-backed Needletail vs Black Spinetail

Hirundapus cochinchinensis verglichen mit Telacanthura melanopygia

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Merkmal Silver-backed Needletail Black Spinetail
Wissenschaftlicher Name Hirundapus cochinchinensis Telacanthura melanopygia
Ordnung Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Familie Apodidae Apodidae
Erhaltungsstatus Least Concern Least Concern
Länge
Flügelspannweite 36,6 cm (14.4 in) 32,4 cm (12.8 in)
Gewicht 85,97999999999999 g (3.03 oz) 52,0 g (1.83 oz)
Ernährung Obligate aerial forager on small insects and airborne spiders; among the fastest-flying of all swift … High-speed aerial insectivore catching small flying insects and aerial spiders during fast sustained flight.
Gelegegröße -- --
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Gemeinsame Lebensräume

Silver-backed Needletail only

Black Spinetail only

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Song & Call Comparison

Silver-backed Needletail

Gesang

Dry, rattling trill with softer ending; rapid series of clipped notes dropping slightly in pitch as the bird gains speed.

Black Spinetail

Gesang

Deep, resonant chattering with gravelly undertones; series of rough churring notes interspersed with sharp screaming calls.

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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.

Black Spinetail

Found in West and Central Africa from Nigeria and Cameroon east to Uganda. Resident in lowland rainforest and forest edge.

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Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern

Silver-backed Needletail

Least Concern

Black Spinetail

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How to Tell Them Apart

Silver-backed Needletail

Gefieder

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.

Black Spinetail

Gefieder

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 …

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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.

Black Spinetail

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.

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