Sao Tome Spinetail

Zoonavena thomensis

Sao Tome Spinetail (Zoonavena thomensis) — Swifts of Africa.

The Sao Tome Spinetail (Zoonavena thomensis) is a member of the Apodidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 8 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 Zoonavena
Species thomensis

Where it lives

São Tomé and Príncipe (central Gulf of Guinea Is.)

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 8 g
Diet: Invertebrate-eaters
Family: Apodidae
Order: Apodiformes
Habitat: Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

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

The Sao Tome Spinetail (Zoonavena thomensis) is a species of bird in the Apodidae family, part of the order Apodiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF São Tomé and Príncipe (c Gulf of Guinea Is.).

It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8 g, with a wing length of about 11 cm and a tail of around 4 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 1,009 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Sao Tome Spinetail?

The Sao Tome Spinetail is a very small bird that weighs around 8 g.

Where does the Sao Tome Spinetail live?

The Sao Tome Spinetail is found across Africa with a range covering AF São Tomé and Príncipe (c Gulf of Guinea Is.), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Sao Tome Spinetail belong to?

The Sao Tome Spinetail (Zoonavena thomensis) belongs to the Apodidae family, in the order Apodiformes.

What does the Sao Tome Spinetail eat?

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

Does the Sao Tome Spinetail migrate?

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

Is the Sao Tome 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 Sao Tome Spinetail's range?

The Sao Tome Spinetail has a mapped global range of about 1,009 km².