Fiji Birds: Swifts

The white-throated needletail, also known as the needle-tailed swift or spine-tailed swift, is a majestic bird distinguished by its long saber-shaped wings and bullet-shaped body. Sporting a clean white throat and smooth pale gray back, it stands out as a unique inhabitant within its range. Up close, its fine white forehead and bluish back add to its striking appearance. During migration, it soars above mountaintops and valleys, often accompanied by kettles of migrating birds of prey, showcasing its prowess in flight. Unlike its counterparts, this swift maintains a less erratic and more controlled flight pattern, reminiscent of a bird of prey rather than a bat. Its call, a high-pitched, screaming twitter, echoes through the skies.

This large swift, with its long curved wings and distinctive white markings, boasts predominantly gray-brown plumage with a glossy green sheen. Its long and pointed wings contrast with its short, square tail, characterized by protruding feather shafts that lend it a spiky appearance. A crisp white throat and undertail further accentuate its features.

Famed for its remarkable speed, the white-throated needletail is said to reach velocities of up to 105 mph in horizontal flight. It eschews ground perching, preferring instead to spend the majority of its time aloft. Nesting in rock crevices within cliffs or hollow trees, it creates homes that match its affinity for high altitudes. Its diet consists primarily of small flying insects such as beetles, flies, bees, and moths.

Common Name: White-throated Needletail
Scientific Name: Hirundapus caudacutus
Recorded Sightings: Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Lomaiviti, Lau, and Rotuma
Image Supplied: Alan Schimierer. (2011).