Papuan Spinetail
Mearnsia novaeguineae
Papuan Spinetail (Mearnsia novaeguineae) — Swifts of Australia & Oceania.
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The Papuan Spinetail (Mearnsia novaeguineae) is a member of the Apodidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 32.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Apodidae Swifts
- Genus Mearnsia
- Species novaeguineae
Quick facts
- Weight
- 32.6 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Apodidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Papuan Spinetail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Papuan Spinetail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Papuan Spinetail (Mearnsia novaeguineae) belongs to the Apodidae family of the order Apodiformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU New Guinea.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 32.6 g, with a wing length of about 13 cm and a tail of around 3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 480,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Papuan Spinetail?
The Papuan Spinetail is a small bird that weighs around 32.6 g.
Where does the Papuan Spinetail live?
The Papuan Spinetail is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU New Guinea, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Papuan Spinetail belong to?
The Papuan Spinetail (Mearnsia novaeguineae) belongs to the Apodidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Papuan Spinetail eat?
The Papuan Spinetail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Papuan Spinetail migrate?
The Papuan Spinetail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Papuan Spinetail endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Papuan Spinetail's range?
The Papuan Spinetail has a mapped global range of about 480,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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