Hirundapus

Hirundapus is a genus of birds in the swift family Apodidae. The genus was erected in 1847 by British ornithologist Brian Houghton Hodgson. The name Hirundapus is derived from the Greek words "hirundo" meaning swallow and "apus" meaning footless, referring to the characteristic appearance of swifts with their small, weak feet and their resemblance to swallows.

There are currently four recognized species within the genus Hirundapus. These species are:

* White-throated needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus)

* Brown-backed needletail (Hirundapus giganteus)

* Corn-colored pygmy-tyrant (Hirundapus cochinchinensis)

* Philippine needletail (Hirundapus pulawskii)

These swifts are found in parts of Asia. They are generally medium to large-sized swifts characterized by their stout bodies and distinctive spine-like feathers on their tails, which give them the common name "needletails." They are aerial insectivores, feeding on insects caught in flight. Their flight is powerful and direct, and they are capable of high speeds. They typically nest in cavities, such as rock crevices or holes in trees. Their breeding ranges and migratory patterns vary among the species.