Northern Sulawesi and northern and eastern Philippines (absent from Palawan).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Status LC
Subtropical and tropical lowland and montane moist forest, lowland dry grassland and shrubland. From 150 - 2,000 m.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Purple Needletail (Hirundapus celebensis) [XC896294]
by id from Calanasan - Claveria Road, Claveria, Cagayan Valley, Philippines (flight call)
Subspecies
Genus formerly merged into Chaetura. Forms superspecies with Brown-backed Needletail (Hirundapus giganteus), with which in past sometimes considered conspecific. Some authors divide population into subspecies celebensis (Sulawesi) and dubius (Philippines). A further body of opinion recognizes additional subspecies manobo (Mindanao, Basilan, Negros).