Seychelles Swiftlet vs Alpine Swift
Aerodramus elaphrus compared with Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Seychelles Swiftlet | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aerodramus elaphrus | Tachymarptis melba |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 22.6 cm (8.9 in) | 43.9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Weight | 11.266666666666666 g (0.40 oz) | 97.5 g (3.44 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds aerially on tiny flying insects and drifting spiders; often forages in mixed-species flocks over … | Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal … |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-4 |
| 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
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
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.
Alpine Swift
Breeds from southern Europe and North Africa east through Central Asia and the Himalayas to India. Migratory; winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
Conservation Status
Seychelles Swiftlet
Alpine 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 …
Alpine Swift
Large; dark brown upperparts; white throat patch separated from white belly by dark brown breast band; brown flanks; bold tricoloured underpart pattern; one of Europe's largest swifts with distinctive white …
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.
Alpine Swift
A large swift (20-22 cm, wingspan 54-60 cm) with a white belly and throat contrasting with dark brown upperparts. Found from southern Europe and Africa to Central Asia. Aerial insectivore, foraging at great heights. Nests on cliff faces in large colonies. Powerful, fast flier.