Image via Macaulay Library
Mottled Spinetail
- Scientific name
- Telacanthura ussheri
- Family
- Apodidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Shrubland
- Wing shape
- Pointed
- Tail shape
- Notched
Where it came from
The Mottled Spinetail, scientifically classified as Telacanthura ussheri, is a member of the Apodidae family, which includes swifts. These birds are native to the tropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting forests and wooded savannas. Evolutionary history has favored their distinct morphology, featuring a characteristically notched tail and long, pointed wings that facilitate the high-speed, acrobatic aerial maneuvers necessary for capturing insects on the wing.
The species was first formally described by the ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1870. The nomenclature serves as a testament to 19th-century taxonomic practices, intended to distinguish the bird from its close relatives within the genus based on its unique plumage patterns and specific geographical distribution. Scientific documentation of this species has primarily served to broaden our understanding of the migratory and nesting habits of African swifts, marking it as a subject of significant interest in avian biology.
Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Mottled Spinetail
Mottled 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 Mottled Spinetail on collecto.rs?
Mottled 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 Mottled 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 Mottled Spinetail catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Mottled 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
