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White-throated Needletail

(Hirundapus caudacutus)
Alternative names: "Spine-tailed Swift", "Needle-tailed Swift"
Size: 19-21 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

White-throated Needletails are non-breeding migrants to Australia from the north. They usually come across the Torres Strait, populating the east coast of the continent plus Bass Strait and Tasmania. They can be found in a stretch about half the east-west width of QLD and NSW and all of VIC. In some years they can venture further inland, into the Coral Sea and further across the tropical north of Australia (except the Kimberleys). In such years they can also reach south-eastern SA.

White-throated Needletails are mostly observed above forested areas, often in hilly and mountainous terrain, but they are also found above more open country.

Sightings

The first White-throated Needletail spotted by us was a chance detection when scanning the sky above Narrabri Lake in December 2008 for other high-flying birds.

A flock of about 50 birds was subsequently observed about 30 km east of Narrabri in February 2009. They used a thermal to stay at a height above ground of 50-100 m. Individual birds or small groups branched off, diving down to hunt just above the treetops. Occasionally, high-pitched calls were heard and during extreme flight manoeuvres the swishing sound of air under their wings could be heard. A few days later a similar flock was seen 10 km further west, i.e. 20 km east of Narrabri. Another flock, again about 50 strong, was observed 20 km east of Narrabri in late November 2011, during a major rain event.

A flock of 40-50 birds was seen 45 km south of Narrabri in January 2011. It was noticed that they came in low, hunted in the area for a while, and then used a thermal to gain height and disappear from sight. Seen in the Narrabri township and in the Pilliga scrub again in December 2011.

Photos

White-throated Needletail with its tail fanned

White-throated Needletail seen from underneath; one can distinguish clearly the white throat and undertail coverts extending to its flanks

Another, slightly different view, with the wings much narrower now

Lateral view of a bird in flight

Here a bird with greyer plumage, possibly a young bird

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Migratory Elementary unit: FLock

Food

Like other swifts, White-throated Needletails are insect hunters. They catch and devour their prey in-flight.