Brown-backed Needletail Bird Details
Hirundapus giganteus
Brown-backed Needletail,Brown Needletai,l Spine-tailed, Swift Giant Needletail;
NA
Temminck in 1825.
Apodiformes
Apodidae
Hirundapus
India ( Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Sikkim), Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Southern China
Appearance :
Large swift species with a stocky build. Brownish upperparts with a paler, slightly greyish-brown underbelly. Short, stubby tail with needle-like extensions (hence the name “needletail”). Wings are long and sickle-shaped, adapted for fast flying.
Behaviour :
Highly gregarious, often found in large flocks. Exhibits aerial feeding, rarely landing except for nesting.
Habitat :
Prefers montane forests, foothills, and tropical forests. Found near cliffs, hills, and open woodlands. Often seen flying above open country, usually over rivers, forests, and clearings.
Diet :
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on flying insects such as beetles, flies, and ants.
Conservation Status :
Least Concern
Distribution :
Found across much of Southeast Asia, including parts of India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Population Size :
Exact global population size is not well documented but is generally considered stable.
Life Span :
Exact data on lifespan is limited, but swifts in general can live up to 15-20 years.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: The Brown-backed Needletail is a large, stocky swift with an aerodynamic build for high-speed flight. It has robust, muscular wings, a short tail, and a barrel-shaped body.
- Tarsus Length: The tarsus (leg) length is relatively short, as swifts spend most of their time flying and do not land often except for nesting. The tarsus length is typically around 5-6 mm.
Head And Bill :
- Head: Compact with a slightly flattened appearance. The head is smoothly integrated into the body, allowing for streamlined flight.
- Eyes: Large, dark, and positioned towards the front of the head to provide a wide field of vision, essential for catching insects while in flight.
- Bill: Short, wide, and slightly hooked at the tip, adapted for catching flying insects. The gape (mouth opening) is wide, allowing it to scoop insects mid-air.
- Bill Length: Typically around 5-7 mm long.
Length :
The Brown-backed Needletail measures about 19-21 cm from head to tail.
Neck :
Short and almost indistinguishable due to the bird’s compact structure, which aids in its streamlined flight.
Size :
Large for a swift, it is one of the largest members of its family.
Tail Details :
- Tail: The tail is short and squared, with sharp needle-like projections extending beyond the tail feathers (hence the name "Needletail").
- Tail Length: The tail length is relatively short, about 3-4 cm, not counting the needle-like extensions.
- Feathers: Feathers are dark brown with a slight iridescence, giving the bird its brownish-back appearance. The plumage is dense and smooth, enhancing the bird's aerodynamic capabilities.
Weight :
The Brown-backed Needletail weighs between 110-130 grams.
Wing :
Long, narrow, and sharply pointed wings designed for high-speed, agile flight. The wings have a sickle-shaped appearance when extended.
Wing Span :
The wingspan of the Brown-backed Needletail ranges from 50-60 cm.
Facial Feature :
The Brown-backed Needletail has a flattened face with a wide mouth adapted for catching insects mid-flight. Its eyes are large and forward-facing for better vision while hunting.
Nest Details :
- Nest: The Brown-backed Needletail nests in crevices of cliffs, caves, hollow trees, or sometimes even inside human structures. These locations are often difficult to access, offering protection to the eggs and chicks.
- Nest Made Up of: The nest is a simple, shallow structure made of twigs, feathers, and other plant material, often glued together with the bird's saliva. The nests are generally not elaborate, as the primary goal is to secure the eggs in place.
Breeding Season :
The breeding period for the Brown-backed Needletail varies depending on the region but typically occurs from March to July.
Nesting Season :
The species is known to nest during the monsoon or rainy season in some regions, usually from May to July.
Egg Color :
The eggs are typically white and unmarked.
Egg Length :
Approximately 25-30 mm.
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: Around 18-20 mm.
- Egg Weight: Eggs typically weigh around 3-5 grams.
Clutch Size :
Usually consists of 1-2 eggs.
No. of Broods :
Normally, the Brown-backed Needletail produces one brood per breeding season.
Incubation Period :
The eggs are incubated for 18-25 days. Both parents are involved in incubation.
Nestling Period :
After hatching, the nestlings remain in the nest for 35-45 days.
Vocalization :
The vocalizations of the Brown-backed Needletail are typically high-pitched trills or twittering sounds, used for communication between flock members, especially while flying.
Sex Demorphism :
No significant sexual dimorphism is present in the species.
Migration Details :
- Migration Pattern: The Brown-backed Needletail is partially migratory. While some populations are resident year-round, others migrate in response to seasonal changes, particularly during the monsoon.
- Migration Period: Migration typically occurs during the post-breeding season, usually between August and October, with return migration in spring (February to April).
- Migration Route: Migration routes can vary, but birds typically move between their breeding grounds in India, Southeast Asia, and Southern China, and their wintering areas, which may include parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. Their movements are influenced by food availability and climatic conditions.
- Reasons for Migration: The main reason for migration is to find more abundant food sources (flying insects) and favorable weather conditions. They follow insect swarms and may move to areas with more rainfall, where insect populations thrive.