Skip to content

White-rumped Spinetail

White-rumped Spinetail

Zoonavena sylvatica

Photo © Afsar Nayakkan

Photo © Afsar Nayakkan — CC BY 4.0 — Source: iNaturalist photo #429934643

ABOUT

The white-rumped spinetail or white-rumped needletail (Zoonavena sylvatica) is a species of swift found in the forests of Bangladesh, India (the Western Ghats) and Nepal. It is often seen over waterbodies in the middle of forest. It can resemble a house swift but has a white vent. == Diet == The white-rumped spinetail is insectivorous.

HOTSPOTS

Country

Sort by

Kanha Tiger Reserve

Kanha Kisli F.V.·India

+321 birds+23 mammals

Bandipur National Park

Hirehalli·India

+302 birds+19 mammals

Bardiya National Park

Neulapur·Nepal

+412 birds+33 mammals

Chitwan National Park

+494 birds+22 mammals

Eravikulam National Park

Devikulam·India

+192 birds+7 mammals

Nagarahole Tiger Reserve

Nalkeri Forest·India

+323 birds+23 mammals

Pampadum Shola National Park

Vattavada·India

+258 birds+14 mammals

Parsa National Park

Periyar National Park

Mlappara·India

+232 birds+4 mammals

Nothing matches these filters.

Where to see & photograph the White-rumped Spinetail (1 more) →

COMMUNITY

Share your photo of this species

Sort by

No community photos yet. Log in to add the first one.

0 Observed by

0 Hotspots reported

0 Countries

No community observations of this species yet.

Wild Atlas Guide

About
Contact
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Send Feedback

Community

Submit a Hotspot
Operators Directory
Add your business
Business Terms

© 2026 Wild Atlas Guide — Content & data compilation protected.

Privacy Policy · Cookie settings · Copyright & data use

Contact Us

We'd love to hear from you. We'll reply as soon as possible.

Name

Email

Message

Send Feedback

Found an error? Have a suggestion? We read every message.

Type

Type

Page URL (optional)

Description

Your email (optional — if you want us to follow up)

Submit a hotspot Add your business

MENU

Username or email Password

or

Enter your username or email and we'll send you a link to reset your password.

Username or email

Username Email Confirm email I am a… Language Password

I accept the Terms of Use and confirm that I have read the Privacy Policy. I want to receive occasional Wild Atlas Guide news and offers by email. I can unsubscribe at any time.

or

Biological profile

White-rumped Spinetail

A compact view of how this species lives, moves and responds to its environment.

The species at a glance

Select a card to explore the details.

Movement

Does it remain in the same area?: It generally remains in the same region
How does it move?: Local RangingDispersal
Can its movements be anticipated?: Yes, its movements tend to repeat
Do its movements change with the seasons?: No, they are not tied to one season
Do all populations follow the same calendar?: Yes, broadly speaking

Activity

When is it active?: Mainly active by day
Does it have inactive periods?: No known inactive period

How to detect it

Is it easy to find?: It takes some patience
How can you detect it?: Visual
Does it tend to hide?: It hides in some situations
Do you need a specific technique?: Usually not
Which seasonal signs help?: None Known

Habitat

Which environment does it live in?: AerialTerrestrial
Which places does it prefer?: Forest
Can it adapt to different habitats?: It tolerates some variety of habitats
At what level of the habitat does it move?: Aerial

Feeding

What kind of food does it eat?: Insectivore
How does it get its food?: Aerial Hawking

Social life

Does it usually live alone or in a group?: It usually lives in groups
Does it gather at certain times?: Roosting

Reproduction

How does it breed?: Colonial
Where does it breed?: CliffTree

Spatial ecology

Does it defend a territory?: No, it does not usually defend a territory
How far does it usually travel?: Within a local area
In which major regions does it live?: Indomalayan

Sensitivity

Is it affected by human disturbance?: Very sensitive — it needs distance and little disturbance
When does it need the most space?: Breeding Colony

Global profile. Local behaviour and timing may vary.

Discover

Book

Before you choose a photo

Please confirm the photo rights and credit terms first.

I confirm I own this photo or have permission to share it, and agree to Wild Atlas Guide’s credited use.

Read the photo rights and credit terms

I'm the author of this photo or hold the rights to it, and I keep full ownership. I grant Wild Atlas Guide a free, non-exclusive licence to display it on the site and in Wild Atlas Guide's own channels, including social media, always credited to me by my display name or the Instagram handle I choose to provide. I confirm it does not reveal a sensitive wildlife location or a recognisable person without their permission. I can withdraw future social use for this photo or ask for it to be removed at any time.

Please accept the photo rights and credit terms to continue.

Choose photo

Add your photo

Uploading…

We use cookies to measure traffic and improve Wild Atlas Guide. You decide. Privacy policy