Black Spinetail

Telacanthura melanopygia

Black Spinetail (Telacanthura melanopygia) — Swifts of Africa.

The Black Spinetail (Telacanthura melanopygia) is a member of the Apodidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 52 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Apodiformes
Family Apodidae Swifts
Genus Telacanthura
Species melanopygia

Where it lives

Sierra Leone to Cameroon and Gabon, southwestern Central African Republic and northern DR Congo

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 52 g
Diet: Invertebrate-eaters
Family: Apodidae
Order: Apodiformes
Habitat: Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Silver-backed Needletail

Hirundapus cochinchinensis

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Black 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 Black Spinetail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Black Spinetail (Telacanthura melanopygia) is a member of the Apodidae family, within the order Apodiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Sierra Leone to Cameroon and Gabon, sw Central African Republic and n DR Congo.

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 52 g, with a wing length of about 16.2 cm and a tail of around 4.9 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 586,000 km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Black Spinetail?

The Black Spinetail is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 52 g.

Where does the Black Spinetail live?

The Black Spinetail is found across Africa with a range covering AF Sierra Leone to Cameroon and Gabon, sw Central African Republic and n DR Congo, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Black Spinetail belong to?

The Black Spinetail (Telacanthura melanopygia) belongs to the Apodidae family, in the order Apodiformes.

What does the Black Spinetail eat?

The Black Spinetail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Does the Black Spinetail migrate?

The Black Spinetail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Black 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 Black Spinetail's range?

The Black Spinetail has a mapped global range of about 586,000 km².