Seychelles Swiftlet vs White-chested Swift
Aerodramus elaphrus compared with Cypseloides lemosi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Seychelles Swiftlet | White-chested Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aerodramus elaphrus | Cypseloides lemosi |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 22.6 cm (8.9 in) | 30.0 cm (11.8 in) |
| Weight | 11.266666666666666 g (0.40 oz) | 28.400000000000002 g (1.00 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds aerially on tiny flying insects and drifting spiders; often forages in mixed-species flocks over … | Obligate aerial forager catching small flies, aphids, winged termites, and airborne spiders on the wing. |
| Clutch Size | 1 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Seychelles Swiftlet only
White-chested Swift only
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
White-chested Swift
High, thin twittering; soft 'tsit' calls in flight; calls over Colombian waterfalls; very poorly known; thin, reedy contact notes; one of most rarely documented swifts
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.
White-chested Swift
Known from Colombia and adjacent Ecuador. One of the world's rarest swifts; recorded at waterfalls in humid forest foothills at 500–1,200 m.
Conservation Status
Seychelles Swiftlet
White-chested 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 …
White-chested Swift
Black upperparts and wings; distinctive large white chest patch contrasting sharply with black throat and belly; white confined to central breast; Colombian endemic with unique bold bicoloured plumage unlike any …
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.
White-chested Swift
A medium-sized swift (14-15 cm) endemic to the upper Cauca Valley of Colombia. Sooty-black plumage with a white breast patch. Aerial insectivore of subtropical forests. Classified as Endangered due to extremely restricted range and ongoing habitat loss.