Scientific Name: Hirundapus cochinchinensis
Malay Name: Layang-layang Besar Rengkung Pudar
Chinese Name: 灰喉针尾雨燕
Range: Found from Nepal, Indian subcontinent to southern China and winters to Southeast Asia except the Philippines
Taxonomy: Monotypic.
Size: 20.5-22 cm
Identification: Resembles Brown-backed Needletail but centre of saddle distinctively silvery-grey and lacks white spot on lores. Distinguished from White-throated Needletail by the paler, brownish-grey throat patch.
Similar looking species: Silver-rumped Spinetail, White-throated Needletail, Brown-backed Needletail
Habitat: Forested and open areas.
Behaviour/Ecology: Highly active, only staying at one site for any length of time if drinking or feeding. Often seen in association with Brown-backed Needletail.
Local Status: Rare migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)
Featured reports: Nov 2022
Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Silver-backed Needletail)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Hirundapus cochinchinensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22686684A93121901.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Chantler, P. (2000). Swifts: A Guide to the Swifts and Treeswifts of the World. Yale University Press.
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Silver-backed Needletail. Retrieved on December 6, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/silver-backed-needletail.