Zoonavena sylvatica
The White-rumped Spinetail, *Zoonavena sylvatica*, is a small, enigmatic swift endemic to peninsular India, renowned for its almost entirely aerial existence. Measuring approximately 11-13 cm in length and weighing a mere 15-20 grams, this stocky swift is predominantly a sooty dark-brown, sharply contrasted by its namesake bright white rump and uppertail coverts - a key identification marker. Its short, square-tipped tail features projecting 'spines' from the feather shafts, which give the sp...
Primarily inhabits open country, clearings, and cultivation near or above moist deciduous and evergreen forests, often associated with hills and mountains up to 1,500 meters in elevation.
Strictly insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of aerial insects including beetles, flies, winged ants, and termites, all caught in flight.
White-rumped Spinetails are exceptionally aerial birds, spending nearly their entire diurnal period in continuous flight. They are agile foragers, capturing a diverse array of flying insects mid-air with remarkable precision, often in loose, swirling flocks. While specific territorial behavior de...
The White-rumped Spinetail is endemic to peninsular India, with its breeding and resident range extending across a broad swath of the country. It is commonly found throughout the Western and Eastern Ghats mountain ranges, extending into the Deccan Plateau and the lowlands of central and southern ...
Least Concern
- The White-rumped Spinetail's 'spiny' tail feathers are actually bare feather shafts, which provide a stiff brace when the bird clings to vertical surfaces like tree trunks or cave walls. - Like many swifts, it possesses tiny, weak feet poorly suited for perching, leading to the family name Apod...