Silver-backed Needletail

Hirundapus cochinchinensis

Family: Swifts · Status: Rare migrant · Size: 20.5–22 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds from the Indian Subcontinent to southern China; winters in Southeast Asia except the Philippines.

Identification

Large swift with a squarish tail, dark grey cigar-shaped body, and a pale greyish-brown throat patch. Separated from Brown-backed Needletail by shorter 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).

Habitat

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

Behaviour

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