African Swift vs Malagasy Palm Swift

Apus barbatus مقارنةً بـ Cypsiurus gracilis

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Side-by-Side Comparison

السمة African Swift Malagasy Palm Swift
الاسم العلمي Apus barbatus Cypsiurus gracilis
الرتبة Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
الفصيلة Apodidae Apodidae
حالة الحفاظ Least Concern Least Concern
الطول
طول الجناح 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 24,8 cm (9.8 in)
الوزن 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 12,0 g (0.42 oz)
النظام الغذائي Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Obligate aerial forager catching small flies, aphids, winged termites, and airborne spiders on the wing.
عدد البيض في الوضع 1-2 1-3
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

الموائل المشتركة

بلا

African Swift only

بلا

Malagasy Palm 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.

Malagasy Palm Swift

الغناء

Sharp, emphatic chip followed by buzzy rattle; staccato delivery with rising inflection at end of each phrase sequence.

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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.

Malagasy Palm Swift

Found in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. Resident in open areas with palms and forest edge across Madagascar.

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حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

Malagasy Palm 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.

Malagasy Palm Swift

الريش

Slender; pale grey-brown overall; underparts slightly paler; long deeply forked tail; Malagasy endemic; very similar to African Palm Swift in uniform pale brown coloration but slightly smaller and confined to …

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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.

Malagasy Palm Swift

A slender swift (15-16 cm) endemic to Madagascar. Dark brown plumage with a deeply forked tail. Closely related to African Palm Swift. Aerial insectivore, foraging over open country, towns, and along forest edges. Associated with Ravenala and other palms for nesting.

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