andorinhão-de-ferradura vs brown-backed needletail

The White-throated Needletail and Brown-backed Needletail can be distinguished by their plumage and gloss. The White-throated Needletail has darker, blue-glossed upperparts and a black forehead, while the Brown-backed Needletail has a brown back. These differences are more reliable than size or behavior when identifying these species.

Look for the dark, blue-glossed upperparts and black forehead of the White-throated Needletail. In contrast, the Brown-backed Needletail will display a brown back. These plumage differences are the most reliable field marks.

White-throated Needletail has darker underparts with a green gloss, darker blue-glossed upperparts, and a black forehead. In contrast, the Brown-backed Needletail is characterized by its brown back.