Sabine's Spinetail is a small swift about 11 cm long. It feeds on flying invertebrates by day and uses moist forests and freshwater habitats.
It is about 11 cm long. A broad white band across the rump and upper tail coverts joins the white underside, contrasting with the blackish throat and upper breast. The white areas have faint dark streaks.
It is active by day and catches small invertebrates on the wing over moist forest and freshwater habitats.
It catches insects and small beetles in the air, often feeding near the ground but sometimes at great height.
It nests in tree hollows or niches among large tree roots, attaching a small half-cup of twigs to a vertical surface.
It lays two to three eggs in a clutch.
The wings bulge in the middle, narrow at the body and hook in the outer part. The short square tail looks rounded when spread.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.