Seychelles Swiftlet vs African Swift
Aerodramus elaphrus compared with Apus barbatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Seychelles Swiftlet | African Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aerodramus elaphrus | Apus barbatus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 22.6 cm (8.9 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 11.266666666666666 g (0.40 oz) | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds aerially on tiny flying insects and drifting spiders; often forages in mixed-species flocks over … | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Seychelles Swiftlet
Rapid twittering; thin 'tsit-tsit' over Seychelles islands; audible echolocation clicks in caves; endangered endemic; calls weakly in small flocks over forest and coast
African Swift
Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.
Geographic Range & Migration
Seychelles Swiftlet
Endemic to the Seychelles Islands in the western Indian Ocean. Resident on the main granitic islands including Mahé. Nests in sea caves.
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.
Conservation Status
Seychelles Swiftlet
African Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Seychelles Swiftlet
Small; dark brownish-grey upperparts with slight gloss; pale grey-buff rump band; underparts whitish-grey; forked tail; Seychelles endemic and vulnerable due to restricted range; slightly larger and less glossy than sympatric …
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.
About These Birds
Seychelles Swiftlet
A small swiftlet (10-11 cm) endemic to the Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Dark grey-brown plumage with a pale rump. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest and coastal areas. Colonial cave nester. Population under 10,000 individuals. Classified as Vulnerable.
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.