Scientific Name: Hirundapus giganteus
Malay Name: Layang-layang Besar Biasa
Chinese Name: 褐背针尾雨燕
Range: Found from Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: indicus, giganteus.
Local Subspecies: giganteus, indicus
Size: 21-24.5 cm
Identification: Migratory subspecies indicus looks bulky and has mostly blackish body, distinctive white lower flanks and vent, brownish saddle on lower mantle and white loral spot. The resident subspecies of Thai-Malay Peninsula giganteus is larger than indicus and lacks the white loral spot.
Similar looking species: Silver-rumped Spinetail, White-throated Needletail, Silver-backed Needletail
Habitat: Forested and open areas.
Behaviour/Ecology: Has fast gliding flight, wings make loud whooshing sound when zooming overhead.
Local Status: Rare migrant and very rare visitor
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)
Location: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (Summit), Jelutong Tower and Chinese Garden.
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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 (Brown-backed Needletail)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Hirundapus giganteus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22686687A93122111.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.). Brown-backed Needletail. Retrieved on November 2, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/brown-backed-needletail.