White-throated Needletail

The white-throated needletail, or needle-tailed swift, is a large swift with a robust, barrel-like body, about 20cm long and weighing 110 to 120g. It is greyish-brown except for a white throat and a white patch extending from the base of the tail to the flanks. Its speed in level flight is reputed to reach 170km/h, though this is unverified and about 75km/h is more likely (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is a migratory bird, breeding in Central Asia and southern Siberia and wintering south in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. It builds its nests in rock crevices in cliffs or in hollow trees, and feeds on small flying insects like beetles, flies, bees and moths.