🐦

Silver-backed Needletail

Hirundapus cochinchinensis

Least Concern
Envergure
36,6 cm
Poids
85,97999999999999 g
Famille
Apodidae
Ordre
Caprimulgiformes

À propos

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.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Envergure 36,6 cm 14.4 in
Poids 85,97999999999999 g 3.03 oz

Identification

Plumage

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.

Habitat & Range

Répartition géographique

Found from northeastern India and China through Southeast Asia to the Greater Sundas. Partially migratory; winters south in forest and open areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate aerial forager on small insects and airborne spiders; among the fastest-flying of all swift species.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Son

Chant

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

Taxonomie

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordre Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts)
Famille Apodidae (Swifts)
Genus Hirundapus
Espèces Hirundapus cochinchinensis

Distribution

Silver-backed Needletail 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. #}
Présent Not recorded
{# Simplified country/region shapes — major landmasses with ISO alpha-2 data attributes. These are simplified polygon representations for visual distribution display. #}

countries highlighted

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Silver-backed Needletail eat?
Obligate aerial forager on small insects and airborne spiders; among the fastest-flying of all swift species.
Where does the Silver-backed Needletail live?
Found from northeastern India and China through Southeast Asia to the Greater Sundas. Partially migratory; winters south in forest and open areas.
Is the Silver-backed Needletail endangered?
The Silver-backed Needletail has a conservation status of Least Concern.
What does the Silver-backed Needletail sound like?
Dry, rattling trill with softer ending; rapid series of clipped notes dropping slightly in pitch as the bird gains speed.
How big is the Silver-backed Needletail?
The Silver-backed Needletail has a wingspan of 36.6 cm, weight of 85.97999999999999 g.
What order and family does the Silver-backed Needletail belong to?
The Silver-backed Needletail (Hirundapus cochinchinensis) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Apodidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Apodidae family

Comparer

Explore More

Explore the Nature FYI Family