Submission
No 451: Papuan Spine-tailed Swift Mearnsia
novaeguineae, Boigu Island, Torres Strait.
17th November 2004 (Unpublished).
This case concerns the
observation of three small swifts watched as they circled above a small
freshwater wetland on Boigu Island (Torres Strait) on 17th November
2004.
The birds were at
close range (approaching to within 5m) for seven minutes, enabling the sole
observer to take detailed notes and an excellent series of photographs,
including background detail in some images that confirmed the location. They
were small stocky needletails, considered to be within the size range of
swiftlets, with the plumpness of the body accentuated by the short tail; short
spines projecting about 1 mm beyond the remainder of the tail could be seen in
close views and were shown in several images. The wings were broad and held
rather straight; they were broadest at the inner primaries and the trailing
edge was distinctly constricted at the inner secondaries. The birds were dark
above; mostly blue-black but with patchy dark brown tinges (especially on the
hindneck) attributed to plumage wear. The underparts were dark brown with a
contrasting, pale grey to dirty white oval patch on the lower breast, belly and
vent. There was a single off-white wing-bar on each wing formed by white
markings on the inner webs of the remiges; this bar was more prominent from
below than from above, and varied in appearance, being boldest when the wings
were fully stretched, and appearing inconspicuous or broken in other postures.
The eye and the short fine bill were black.
In general BARC is
particularly cautious about accepting “first” records for Australia when only a
single observer is present. In this case however, the detailed field notes,
sketches and photographic documentation of an extremely distinctive swift left
BARC in no doubt that the birds seen were correctly identified, and the
committee voted unanimously to accept the record. The is the first record of Papuan Spine-tailed Swift in
Australia, though its occurrence on those Torres Straits Islands closest to New
Guinea has long been predicted.
Tony Palliser
Chairman, Birds Australia Rarities Committee