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White-throated Needletail
Hirundapus caudacutus
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About the White-throated Needletail
The white-throated needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus), also known as the needle-tailed swift or spine-tailed swift, is a large swift in the genus Hirundapus. It is reputed to reach speeds of up to 170 km/h (110 mph) in horizontal flight, but this is unverified because the methods used to measure its speed have not been published. 75 km/h (47 mph) is more likely, but this is still at least 100 times the bird's length per second. They build their nests in rock crevices in cliffs or hollow trees. They do not like to sit on the ground and spend most of their time in the air.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Hirundapus caudacutus
- Family
- Swifts
- Order
- Apodiformes
Similar species
Other members of the swifts family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
- Antillean Palm Swift Tachornis phoenicobia
- Black Swift Cypseloides niger
- Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila
- Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica
- Common Swift Apus apus
- Great Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila sanctihieronymi
- Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis
- Mariana Swiftlet Aerodramus bartschi
- Pacific Swift Apus pacificus
- Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi
- White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
- White-fronted Swift Cypseloides storeri
Know when the White-throated Needletail turns up near you
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Optics
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Cameras
Cameras for Bird Photography
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