White-Throated Needletail

The white-throated needletail, also called the needle-tailed swift or spine-tailed swift, is a large swift with a robust, barrel-like body. It is a migratory bird that breeds in Central Asia and southern Siberia and winters south in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia (Wikipedia, general species account). It is reputed to reach 170 km/h in level flight, though that figure is unverified and 75 km/h is more likely, itself at least 100 body lengths a second. (Wikipedia, general species account).

It builds its nest in rock crevices in cliffs or hollow trees and feeds on small flying insects such as beetles, flies, bees and moths (Wikipedia, general species account). Recorded foods include small, flying insects like beetles, flies, bees and moths. The white-throated needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus), also known as the needle-tailed swift or spine-tailed swift, is a large swift in the genus Hirundapus. It is reputed to reach speeds of up to 170 km/h (110 mph) in horizontal flight. (Wikipedia, general species account).