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-backed Needletail, Brown-backed Needletail, Silver-rumped Spinetail
Habitat: Forested and open areas.
Behaviour/Ecology: Forages aerially and has also been observed to roost in trees.
Local Status: Formerly a very rare vagrant, it has been annual in small numbers since 2017. Change in status is the subject may in some part be due to the increased observer coverage of Henderson Waves during migration season.
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)
Past accepted records in our database: Showing the most recent 10 records. See more on our database page.
Past records, bar chart (see more bar charts):
Photos:
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
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 19 December 2021
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.