African Swift vs Silver-backed Needletail
Apus barbatus مقارنةً بـ Hirundapus cochinchinensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| السمة | African Swift | Silver-backed Needletail |
|---|---|---|
| الاسم العلمي | Apus barbatus | Hirundapus cochinchinensis |
| الرتبة | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| الفصيلة | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| حالة الحفاظ | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| الطول | — | — |
| طول الجناح | 34,2 cm (13.5 in) | 36,6 cm (14.4 in) |
| الوزن | 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 85,97999999999999 g (3.03 oz) |
| النظام الغذائي | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Obligate aerial forager on small insects and airborne spiders; among the fastest-flying of all swift … |
| عدد البيض في الوضع | 1-2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
African Swift
Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.
Silver-backed Needletail
Dry, rattling trill with softer ending; rapid series of clipped notes dropping slightly in pitch as the bird gains speed.
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.
Silver-backed Needletail
Found from northeastern India and China through Southeast Asia to the Greater Sundas. Partially migratory; winters south in forest and open areas.
حالة الحفاظ
African Swift
Silver-backed Needletail
How to Tell Them Apart
African Swift
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.
Silver-backed Needletail
Large; blackish-brown body; distinctive large silvery-white back patch between wings; white throat and undertail coverts; short spiny tail; Southeast Asian species closely resembling White-throated Needletail but silvery-white saddle more extensive.
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.
Silver-backed Needletail
A large needletail swift (19-20 cm) found in hill and montane forests from India through Southeast Asia. Dark plumage with a silver-grey back and white throat. Spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore with powerful, rapid flight. Resident and partial migrant.