Sabine's Spinetail

Sabine's Spinetail

Rhaphidura sabini

Silhouette: Aviceda (vectorized by T. Michael Keesey) · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Queen Elizabeth National Park
6 Verified sightings at Queen Elizabeth National Park From 2019 to 2026
142 Verified sightings across all 5 parks From 2019 to 2026
January Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Sabine's Spinetail

Sabine's spinetail ( SAY-bin; Rhaphidura sabini, sometimes spelled Raphidura sabini) is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. It is widespread across the African tropical rainforest. Its common name and Latin binomial commemorate General Sir Edward Sabine.

The Sabine's spinetail is a frugivore. Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Queen Elizabeth National Park

White-rumped Swift
LC

White-rumped Swift

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Apus caffer

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible
Little Swift
LC

Little Swift

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Apus affinis

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
African Palm-Swift
LC

African Palm-Swift

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cypsiurus parvus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Alpine Swift
LC

Alpine Swift

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Tachymarptis melba

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Horus Swift
LC

Horus Swift

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Apus horus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Common Swift
LC

Common Swift

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Apus apus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
African Swift
LC

African Swift

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Apus barbatus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Scarce Swift
LC

Scarce Swift

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Schoutedenapus myoptilus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Mottled Swift
LC

Mottled Swift

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tachymarptis aequatorialis

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Mottled Spinetail
LC

Mottled Spinetail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Telacanthura ussheri

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Cassin's Spinetail
LC

Cassin's Spinetail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Neafrapus cassini

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~10%
2 Semuliki National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
3 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
4 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
5 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
<5%

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Sabine's Spinetail in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Sabine's Spinetail sighting in Queen Elizabeth National Park, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Sabine's Spinetail in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

January has the highest sighting rate for Sabine's Spinetail in Queen Elizabeth National Park in our monthly data.

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