Brown-backed Needletail

Hirundapus giganteus

Family: Swifts · Status: Rare migrant and very rare visitor · Size: 21–24.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Subspecies indicus breeds from southwest to northeast India, Bangladesh and Indochina, with some populations wintering south to the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Subspecies giganteus is broadly resident in the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Greater Sundas, and Palawan.

Identification

Large swift with a squarish tail, dark grey cigar-shaped body, dark throat and long tail spines. Separated from Silver-backed Needletail by longer tail spines, throat colour (Silver-backed has pale grey-brown throat while Brown-backed may show pale greyish-brown or dark throat) or by saddle colour (Silver-backed has silvery-grey saddle while Brown-backed may show silvery-grey or brown saddle). Subspecies indicus is smaller and has a white loral spot, while subspecies giganteus is larger and lacks the white loral spot.

Habitat

Usually seen passing through forested and open areas on migration in Singapore.

Behaviour

Forages aerially. Often seen in association with other needletail species.