Mottled Spinetail

The Mottled Spinetail, known scientifically as Telacanthura ussheri, is a swift belonging to the family Apodidae. This avian species is adorned with a mottled plumage that aids in its camouflage amidst the high canopies.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Mottled Spinetail, one should look for its distinctive mottled pattern. The swift's streamlined body and rapid, agile flight are characteristic of its family.

Habitat

These swifts are inhabitants of the skies above a variety of landscapes, often seen soaring over forests, woodlands, and other densely vegetated areas.

Distribution

The Mottled Spinetail is a bird of the African continent, with a wide range that includes Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Behaviour

As with many swifts, the Mottled Spinetail exhibits remarkable aerial agility. It is often observed in flight, where it spends a significant portion of its life.

Conservation status

The Mottled Spinetail is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher level of concern.