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Papuan spinetail

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Papuan spinetail
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Clade: Strisores
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Apodidae
Genus: Mearnsia
Species:
M. novaeguineae
Binomial name
Mearnsia novaeguineae

The Papuan spinetail (Mearnsia novaeguineae), also known as the Papuan needletail, New Guinea spine-tailed swift or Papuan spine-tailed swift, is a small (11.5 cm in length), stocky swift with a short, rounded tail and very fast flight. Head and upperparts glossy blue-black, white or whitish belly and undertail coverts, dark underwing with pale central stripe. The small spines at the end of the tail are not visible in flight.

Distribution

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Endemic to New Guinea where it is widespread in the lowlands and hills up to 550 m. It has been recorded from Boigu Island, Queensland, Australian territory in north-western Torres Strait.

Habitat

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Forest edges, gardens and cleared areas with standing dead trees.

Food

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Flying insects.

Breeding

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Nests in a high tree hollows.

Conservation

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Common and widespread species assessed as being of Least Concern.

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Mearnsia novaeguineae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22686634A93119357. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22686634A93119357.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  • Beehler, Bruce M.; & Finch, Brian W. (1985). Species Checklist of the Birds of New Guinea. RAOU Monograph No.1. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union: Melbourne. ISBN 0-9599823-2-9
  • Beehler, Bruce M.; Pratt, Thane K.; & Zimmerman, Dale A. (1986). Birds of New Guinea. Wau Ecology Handbook No.9. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-02394-8
  • BirdLife International. (2006). Species factsheet: Mearnsia novaeguineae. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 2 February 2007
  • Clarke, Rohan H. (2006). Papuan Spine-tailed Swifts Mearnsia novaeguineae on Boigu Island, Torres Strait, Queensland. Australian Field Ornithology 23: 125–129.
  • Coates, Brian J. (1985). The Birds of Papua New Guinea. Volume 1: Non-Passerines. Dover Publications: Alderley, Queensland. ISBN 0-9590257-0-7