African Swift vs White-collared Swift

Apus barbatus مقارنةً بـ Streptoprocne zonaris

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Side-by-Side Comparison

السمة African Swift White-collared Swift
الاسم العلمي Apus barbatus Streptoprocne zonaris
الرتبة Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
الفصيلة Apodidae Apodidae
حالة الحفاظ Least Concern Least Concern
الطول
طول الجناح 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 42,5 cm (16.7 in)
الوزن 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 106,45 g (3.75 oz)
النظام الغذائي Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Obligate aerial insectivore; gathers small flying insects, winged ants, and airborne spiders during flight.
عدد البيض في الوضع 1-2 2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

الموائل المشتركة

بلا

African Swift only

بلا

White-collared 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.

White-collared Swift

الغناء

Loud, screaming 'shreee-shreee'; powerful screeching trill; calls from large flocks over mountains; very audible; one of the loudest Neotropical swifts; alarm a harsh rattle

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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.

White-collared Swift

Found from Mexico south through Central America to South America east of the Andes, reaching Bolivia and southern Brazil. Often in large flocks.

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حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

White-collared 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.

White-collared Swift

الريش

Large; glossy blue-black plumage with bold broad white collar encircling entire neck; collar clean and complete; underparts black; large slightly forked tail; among the most recognisable Neotropical swifts due 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.

White-collared Swift

A very large swift (20-22 cm, wingspan 45-55 cm) with a bold white collar band, the largest New World swift. Found from Mexico to southern Brazil and the Caribbean. Aerial insectivore, foraging in large, noisy flocks over forests and cities. Nests behind waterfalls and in caves.

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