Bird guidePapuan Spinetail

Wings display hooked ends, and are widest at the middle before tapering into the body.

⚠️Not listed

At a glance

FamilySwifts
SizeTiny
RarityRare
HabitatEndemic to New Guinea where it is widespread in the lowlands and hills up to 550 m.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from February.

Sounds

Sound sample
0:000:00
Recorded by Iain Woxvold

Range map

Range map

3visible hotspots
14visible records
1states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Stubby-body, pale belly contrasting with short, dark, square tail. Distinguished from other swiftlets by distinctive cut-out in the base of the hindwing and also translucent base to the flight feathers.

Behavior

Voice, typical swiftlike chips, screeches and chatters.

Regional timing

New South Wales
Peak: February1 records
Queensland
Peak: February13 records
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