The White-throated Needletail is a large swift with long wings and needle-like tail feathers. It catches insects and drinks while flying, and moves seasonally between northeast Asia and eastern Australia.
It has long wings and a short tail with needle-like feathers. Its plumage is gray-brown with a green gloss, with white on the throat and under the tail.
White-throated Needletails are often seen above open forest and rainforest in Australia. A 2018 Australian Government document also records birds flying below the canopy and resting in foliage or tree hollows, although aerial roosting appears more usual.
The document listed loss of hollow-bearing breeding trees and Australian roost habitat as suspected threats. Its public consultation asked whether the species should be listed as Vulnerable under Australian law, with responses due by 21 December 2018.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
The Australian Government document identified loss of hollow-bearing breeding trees and local roost forests as suspected threats. Recorded use of tree hollows and canopy foliage makes these wooded places relevant to conservation planning.