White-throated Needletail

Hirundapus caudacutus is a powerful Asian swift that reaches New Zealand as a vagrant. It differs from fork-tailed swift through its barrel-shaped body, white throat and short square tail with projecting spine tips. The bird is dark brown with a white throat and white horseshoe around the undertail. Long sickle-shaped wings support extremely fast flight.

Records occur widely but irregularly over New Zealand, often after weather systems from Australia. It breeds in Asia and migrates to Australia and the southwest Pacific. It catches flying insects continuously on the wing. Birds may feed low ahead of rain or circle high with other aerial insectivores.

The New Zealand classification is Vagrant. There is no dependable site; coastal headlands and wetlands should be watched after strong trans-Tasman weather.