Purple Needletail
Hirundapus celebensis
紫针尾雨燕
Introduction
A species of swift in the family Apodidae. Endemic to the Philippine archipelago and the Minahasa Peninsula on Sulawesi. Inhabits various forests and open country from lowlands to hills at elevations of 150–2,000 meters. Arguably the largest swift in the world, with a highly gregarious nature, typically never leaving groups of at least 20 birds. Conservation status is not endangered, though abundance varies across its range from scarce to locally numerous.
Description
A huge swift measuring approximately 25 cm in length and weighing 170–203 g (average 180 g). Wingspan reaches up to 60 cm with wing chord length of 20.3–23.4 cm. Plumage is mostly uniform blackish overall with a whitish loral marking and a distinctive white horseshoe-shaped underside marking. The tail has the characteristic needle-like spines of needletails. Shows an overall deep purple gloss visible in strong light, with diagonal white bars from the central to inner hind edge of the underwing. Lacks the pale throat patch found in white-throated and silver-backed needletails.
Identification
Extreme size is apparent even from a distance, rivaling brown-backed needletail and white-naped swift as the world's largest swifts. Distinguished from white-throated and silver-backed needletails by the absence of a pale throat patch. Shares white lores with nominate white-throated needletail and brown-backed needletail but is distinguished by the distinctive diagonal white bars on the underwing and overall deep purple plumage gloss.
Distribution & Habitat
Endemic to the Philippine archipelago and the Minahasa Peninsula of Sulawesi. Inhabits various forest types and open country from lowlands to hills at elevations ranging from 150–2,000 meters. Abundance is not well documented but the species is thought to be scarce to uncommon throughout most of its range, though numerous in some parts of the Philippines.
Behavior & Ecology
A highly gregarious species, typically found in groups of at least 20 birds. Diet consists of large flying insects; individuals have been observed foraging around bee-farms to pick off hive members. Breeding habits are unknown, though cave-nesting is suspected. Voice and vocalizations are undocumented.
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern globally. Population status is poorly known but not considered endangered. The species is described as scarce to uncommon through most of its range but locally numerous in parts of the Philippines. Specific threats are not detailed in available sources.
Culture
Known locally as 'hagibas' in Tagalog. No other cultural significance or folklore documented.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Apodidae
- Genus
- Hirundapus
- eBird Code
- purnee1
Distribution
northern Sulawesi and Philippines (except Palawan)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.