How fast can a white-throated Needletail go?

What is the difference between a swift and a needletail?

The Fork-tailed Swift, Apus pacificus, is smaller (17 cm – 21 cm), and, although it has a dusky white rump and throat, it is otherwise uniform dark grey, with a long forked tail. White-throated Needletails often occur in large numbers over eastern and northern Australia.

What is the fastest bird in steady level flight?

Surprisingly, the humble eider is thought by many to be the fastest bird in steady level flight. It is difficult to record the steady flight of many species but of those that have been reliably clocked, the eider comes out on top with an impressive 47.2 mph. How does it achieve such speed?

How fast can a white-throated needletail fly?

The White-throated Needletail ( Hirundapus caudacutus ), also known as Needle-tailed Swift or Spine-tailed Swift, is a large swift. It is one of the fastest-flying bird in flapping flight, being capable of speeds up to 170 km/h (105 mph). These birds have very short legs which they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces.

What is a needle-tailed swift?

Needle-tailed swifts get their name from the spined end of their tail, which is not forked as it is in the typical swifts of the genus Apus . The white-throated needletail was first described by the English ornithologist John Latham in 1801 under the binomial name Hirundo caudacuta.

Why are needletailed swifts called Hirundapus?

The Hirundapus needletailed swifts get their name from the spiny end to the tail, which is not forked as in the Apus typical swifts. References – 1. More The conservation rating for the White-throated Needletail is Least Concern. More White-throated Needletail in flight. White-throated Needletail in flight.

When was the white-throated needletail first described?

The white-throated needletail was first described by the English ornithologist John Latham in 1801 under the binomial name Hirundo caudacuta. The current genus Hirundapus is constructed from the names of the swallow genus Hirundo and the swift genus Apus.

How many types of swift birds nest in North America?

Four types of swift birds nest in North America. Black, Vaux’s and white-throated swifts are found in the western half of the United States, while chimney swifts are found throughout the eastern and midwestern states and in southern Canada. Learn all about swallows’ nests and nesting habits.

What does a spine tailed swift do?

In soft-tailed forms, the hind toe is rotated forward as an aid in gripping vertical surfaces; in spine-tailed swifts, support is gained from the short needle-tipped tail feathers, and the feet are less modified. In feeding, swifts course tirelessly back and forth, capturing insects with their large mouths open.

How fast can a Swift fly?

During the study, they clocked common swifts flying at 75km/h (20.8m/s; 47mph), with one swift registering a top speed of 111.6km/h (31m/s; 69.3mph). That is the highest confirmed speed achieved by a bird in level flight, the researchers say. Extraordinarily, the birds occasionally reached top speed while performing steep climbing flights.

How fast can a needle tailed swift run?

The White-throated needletail ( Hirundapus caudacutus ), also known as needle-tailed swift or spine-tailed swift, is a species of large swift in the Apodidae family. It is commonly reputed to reach speeds of up to 170 km/h (105 mph), though this has not been verified.

What kind of throat does a swift have?

The only swift in its range that combines a clean white throat and smooth pale gray back. At close range, the fine white forehead and bluish tinge to the back are also visible.

What is the difference between a swift and a fork tail?

This large swift is often mistaken in flight for a small predatory bird, but its long curved wings and white markings should identify it. The Fork-tailed Swift, Apus pacificus, is smaller (17 cm – 21 cm), and, although it has a dusky white rump and throat, it is otherwise uniform dark grey, with a long forked tail.

What happened to the common whitethroat?

After a dramatic decline in 1969 due to the disastrous drought in the Sahel, S of the Sahara where this species is wintering, the Common Whitethroat has recovered stable numbers, but the densities do not reach the same levels as those recorded before 1969. DESCRIPTION OF THE BIRD: Biometrics:

Do whitethroats migrate?

Do whitethroats migrate? Whitethroats are summer migrants to the UK, flying all the way from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia to breed here. The first birds tend to arrive in April, with the last leaving by early October. It’s possible that the behaviour of migratory birds like whitethroats is being affected by climate change.

What is the scientific name for a needletail?

White-throated needletail. Their current genus Hirundapus is constructed from the names of the swallow genus Hirundo and the swift genus Apus. The specific name caudacutus comes from the Latin words cauda meaning “tail” and acutus meaning “pointed”.

What are the feet of a swift bird like?

The feet are tiny and weak; with the aid of sharp claws they are used only to cling to vertical surfaces. A swift that lands on flat ground may be unable to regain the air.

What is a common swift bird?

The Common Swift is a native bird of Eurasia. It is seen mostly throughout all of Europe in the warmer months. There are areas in central Asia where they are also seen. This dark-plumaged swift can be identified by a light brown area seen on its throat and it has a forked tail.

How many different types of bird nests are there?

Learn about 8 different kinds of bird nests and how to spot them. White-throated swifts nest in a wide range of sites, from Death Valley at 180 feet below sea level up to elevations of 11,000 feet. Do birds reuse their nests? Four types of swift birds nest in North America.

What is the fastest bird on record?

The fastest bird on record for level flight is the common swift ( Apus apus ), which reaches around 112 km/h. McCracken’s team now claims bats have beaten that record.

Which bird can fly the fastest on its own?

The swift ( Apus apus) can power itself to a speed of 111.6km/h (69.3mph) flying horizontally and even upwards. Other birds, such as peregrine falcons, fly faster while diving in a stoop, but the swift is the fastest accurately recorded flying under its own power.

How can you tell if a swallow is present?

However, a swallow’s presence is identified by the shimmer of its iridescent feathers. Due to swallows’ social nature, large infestations regularly occur in backyards.

What does a swift look like?

Swifts have long, narrow wings and the tail, although forked, is less defined than Swallow tail feathers. Swifts have deep-set eyes with moveable bristles at the front. Think of these as sunglasses to protect them from the glare of the sun. Swifts are approximately 16-17cm in length and have a 42-48cm wingspan. They weigh 36-50g.

What do whitethroats do?

Whitethroats normally skulk in bushes and hedges, but when it is sunny they will often perch at the top of a bush and sing with gusto. They are also very inquisitive and will perch at the top of the bush to investigate, before scolding the intruder with a rapid churring call.

What kind of bird is a whitethroat?

The common whitethroat or greater whitethroat (Curruca communis) is a common and widespread typical warbler which breeds throughout Europe and across much of temperate western Asia. This small passerine bird is strongly migratory, and winters in tropical Africa, Arabia, and Pakistan.