Swifts (Apodidae)

Purple Needletail (Hirundapus celebensis) - HBW 5, p. 441

French: Martinet des Célèbes German: Purpursegler Spanish: Vencejo de Célebes
Other common names: Celebes Needletail, Sulawesi Spinetail/Spinetailed Swift

Taxonomy: Chætura gigantea var. celebensis P. L. Sclater, 1865, Menado, Sulawesi.
Genus formerly merged into Chaetura. Forms superspecies with H. giganteus, with which in past sometimes considered conspecific. Some authors divide population into races celebensis (Sulawesi) and dubius (Philippines); a further body of opinion recognizes additional race manobo (Mindanao, Basilan, Negros). Monotypic.

Distribution: N Sulawesi and N & E Philippines (absent from Palawan).