How do you identify a Papuan Spinetail?

M. novaeguineae is a small (11.5 cm in length), stocky swift with a short, rounded tail. Full identification notes are on this page.

How big is a Papuan Spinetail?

The Papuan Spinetail is a small sized bird weighing about 33 g.

Where can you see a Papuan Spinetail?

The Papuan Spinetail occurs in 3 countries, including Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

What birds look similar to a Papuan Spinetail?

The Papuan Spinetail is most easily confused with the Philippine Spinetail.

Is the Papuan Spinetail endangered?

The Papuan Spinetail is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Papuan Spinetail

Mearnsia novaeguineae

Swifts · Apodiformes · Rare

The Papuan Spinetail (Mearnsia novaeguineae) is a rare swift found in 3 countries, weighing about 33 g. The Papuan spinetail, also known as the Papuan needletail, New Guinea spine-tailed swift or Papuan spine-tailed swift, is a species of swift native to the island of New Guinea.

Least ConcernRareEats invertebratesforestcavity nest33 g

About the Papuan Spinetail

The Papuan spinetail, also known as the Papuan needletail, New Guinea spine-tailed swift or Papuan spine-tailed swift, is a species of swift native to the island of New Guinea.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

M. novaeguineae is a small (11.5 cm in length), stocky swift with a short, rounded tail. Tail spines extend up to 1 mm beyond the web of the tail. Head and upperparts glossy green-black, grey-throat with a white underside. Wings display hooked ends, and are widest at the middle before tapering into the body.

Where it lives

Papua New Guinea Indonesia

Recorded as a rare visitor in Australia.

When to see it

Best months: June, July, August, September, October, with peak activity in August. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Philippine SpinetailMearnsia picina

Quick questions

How do you identify a Papuan Spinetail?: M. novaeguineae is a small (11.5 cm in length), stocky swift with a short, rounded tail. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Papuan Spinetail?: The Papuan Spinetail is a small sized bird weighing about 33 g.
Where can you see a Papuan Spinetail?: The Papuan Spinetail occurs in 3 countries, including Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
What birds look similar to a Papuan Spinetail?: The Papuan Spinetail is most easily confused with the Philippine Spinetail.
Is the Papuan Spinetail endangered?: The Papuan Spinetail is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Papuan Spinetail for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

Play BeakBrain

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.