African Swift vs Bates's Swift

Apus barbatus مقارنةً بـ Apus batesi

Side-by-Side Comparison

السمة African Swift Bates's Swift
الاسم العلمي Apus barbatus Apus batesi
الرتبة Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
الفصيلة Apodidae Apodidae
حالة الحفاظ Least Concern Least Concern
الطول
طول الجناح 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 24,6 cm (9.7 in)
الوزن 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 22,1 g (0.78 oz)
النظام الغذائي Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Entirely airborne feeder on tiny flies, gnats, and airborne arachnids; one of the most aerial …
عدد البيض في الوضع 1-2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

الموائل المشتركة

بلا

African Swift only

بلا

Bates's Swift only

Song & Call Comparison

African Swift

الغناء

Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.

Bates's Swift

الغناء

Rapid, light twittering with bright crystalline quality; cascading series of high pure notes tumbling freely in open air.

Geographic Range & Migration

African Swift

Found across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. One of Africa's most common swift species.

Bates's Swift

Found in a restricted range in West and Central Africa from Cameroon and Gabon. Resident in lowland rainforest. Rare and poorly known.

حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

Bates's Swift

How to Tell Them Apart

African Swift

الريش

Dark sooty-brown throughout; pale throat patch whitish-grey; underparts slightly paler; broadly similar to Common Swift but slightly larger and marginally paler below; widespread Sub-Saharan African species.

Bates's Swift

الريش

Small; dark sooty-brown overall; narrow pale greyish-white rump band; pale greyish chin; underparts dark brown; forked tail; West African forest species; the narrowest and dullest rump band among African white-rumped …

About These Birds

African Swift

A medium-sized swift (16-17 cm) found across sub-Saharan Africa. Dark sooty-brown plumage, darker than Pallid Swift. Aerial insectivore, foraging high over varied habitats from forests to savannas. Breeds on cliffs and buildings. Resident or partial migrant within Africa.

Bates's Swift

A medium-sized swift (16-17 cm) found in lowland and montane forests of West and Central Africa. Dark plumage with a greenish gloss. Aerial insectivore. Colonial breeder. One of the least known African swifts due to its forest habitat. Named after George Latimer Bates.

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