African Swift vs Vaux's Swift

Apus barbatus مقارنةً بـ Chaetura vauxi

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Side-by-Side Comparison

السمة African Swift Vaux's Swift
الاسم العلمي Apus barbatus Chaetura vauxi
الرتبة Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
الفصيلة Apodidae Apodidae
حالة الحفاظ Least Concern Least Concern
الطول
طول الجناح 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 22,3 cm (8.8 in)
الوزن 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 18,033333333333335 g (0.64 oz)
النظام الغذائي Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Exclusively aerial insectivore catching small flying insects and spiders drifting in aerial plankton at altitude.
عدد البيض في الوضع 1-2 1-7
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

الموائل المشتركة

بلا

African Swift only

بلا

Vaux's Swift only

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Song & Call Comparison

African Swift

الغناء

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

Vaux's Swift

الغناء

Soft, high sibilant whisper followed by ticking notes; delicate trill barely audible beyond immediate roosting vicinity.

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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.

Vaux's Swift

Breeds in western North America from Alaska south to Central America. Migrates to winter in Venezuela and northwestern South America.

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حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

Vaux's Swift

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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.

Vaux's Swift

الريش

Small; dark sooty-brown upperparts; pale grey rump slightly paler than back; underparts pale greyish-brown; short spiny tail; smaller and paler-bellied than Chimney Swift; Pacific coast North American species with subtly …

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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.

Vaux's Swift

A small swift (11-12 cm) found in western North America from Alaska to Central America. Dark grey-brown plumage similar to Chimney Swift but smaller. Spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore, nesting in hollow trees and chimneys. Partial migrant wintering in Central America.

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