Image via Macaulay Library
Black Spinetail
- Scientific name
- Telacanthura melanopygia
- Family
- Apodidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Shrubland
- Wing shape
- Pointed
- Tail shape
- Forked
Where it came from
The Black Spinetail, scientifically classified as Telacanthura melanopygia, is an avian species primarily native to the tropical forests of Central and West Africa. As a member of the swift family, its evolutionary development has been shaped by the need for high-speed aerial maneuverability, characterized by its distinctively pointed wings and a notched or forked tail that allows for rapid shifts in direction while hunting airborne insects.
This species was formally described within the context of nineteenth-century ornithological taxonomy, a period defined by the intense European documentation of African biodiversity. The design of the bird, particularly its soot-colored plumage and aerodynamic silhouette, reflects a specialized adaptation to dense forest environments and open canopy foraging. It remains a subject of ongoing study for researchers interested in the migratory patterns and nesting behaviors of Apodidae in equatorial regions.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Black Spinetail
Black Spinetail is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Black Spinetail on collecto.rs?
Black Spinetail doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Black Spinetail?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Black Spinetail catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Black Spinetail is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
