Brown-backed Needletail
Hirundapus giganteus
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À propos
A very large needletail swift (22-25 cm), the largest swift in Asia. Dark brown plumage with a paler brown back. Spine-tipped tail. Found in montane forests from India to Southeast Asia. Aerial insectivore with powerful flight. Often seen soaring over mountain ridges.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Envergure | 40,6 cm | 16.0 in |
| Poids | 145,0 g | 5.11 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Very large; dark brown upperparts with bronze gloss; no pale back saddle unlike congeners; white throat patch; white undertail coverts; short spiny tail; largest Hirundapus; brown rather than black overall tone with no contrasting white back patch.
Habitat & Range
Répartition géographique
Found from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to Borneo and the Philippines. Resident in lowland and hill forest, soaring over ridges.
Diet & Feeding
Aerial insectivore feeding on tiny flies, beetles, and ballooning spiders in rapid powerful aerial pursuit.
Statut de conservation
Comportement et reproduction
Nidification
Nest type: SC.
Taille de la couvée
3-5
Son
Chant
Rough, buzzy chatter with intermittent higher squeaks; coarse twittering delivered continuously throughout aerial foraging.
Taxonomie
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Ordre | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Famille | Apodidae (Swifts) |
| Genus | Hirundapus |
| Espèces | Hirundapus giganteus |
Distribution
Brown-backed Needletail has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Foire aux questions
What does the Brown-backed Needletail eat?
Where does the Brown-backed Needletail live?
Is the Brown-backed Needletail endangered?
How does the Brown-backed Needletail nest?
What does the Brown-backed Needletail sound like?
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What order and family does the Brown-backed Needletail belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Apodidae family