Scientific Name: Hirundapus caudacutus
Malay Name: Layang-layang Besar Utara
Chinese Name: 白喉针尾雨燕
Range: Found from Siberia to Central and Northeast Asia and winters to the Indian subcontinent, Southern China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: caudacutus, nudipes.
Local Subspecies: nudipes, caudacutus
Size: 21-22 cm
Identification: Resembles the other two migratory Needletail species with cigar-shaped body but has the diagnostic clearly defined white throat. Juvenile has less glossy underparts.
Similar looking species: Silver-rumped Spinetail, Silver-backed Needletail, Brown-backed Needletail
Habitat: Forested and open areas.
Behaviour/Ecology: Forages aerially and has also been observed to roost in trees.
Local Status: Uncommon migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)
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Featured reports: Oct 2022, Nov 2022, Sep 2023, Oct 2023, Oct 2024
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 (White-throated Needletail)
References:
BirdLife International. (2019). Hirundapus caudacutus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22686677A155548867.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
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.). White-throated Needletail. Retrieved on December 5, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/white-throated-needletail.