White-Throated Needletail

Hirundapus caudacutus

Also known as:Needle-tailed Swift, Spine-tailed Swift

Explore this bird

Identification

21 cm ( 8") Aleutians. visits from Asia.

Mostly dark with a white throat and undertail coverts. Pale patch on lower back. Square tail with needlelike projections at end.

Details in the field

2 photos

Credit: Tom Tarrant

Credit: Ron Knight

Watch and learn

1 video

ハリオアマツバメ White-throated Needle-tailed Swift

Credit: EFP8823

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 1 rule

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

1 rule

Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 1

What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Unknown
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?: No · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Sparrow-sized · Robin-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Swallow-like
WHEN was the bird seen ?: Spring · Summer · Fall
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Northwestern Canada or United States

result:285-white-throated-needletail:1:1 Source: 285 White-throated Needletail, row 1