Edible-nest Swiftlet vs African Swift
Aerodramus fuciphagus compared with Apus barbatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Edible-nest Swiftlet | African Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aerodramus fuciphagus | Apus barbatus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 22.6 cm (8.9 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 13.040000000000001 g (0.46 oz) | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) |
| Diet | Obligate aerial insectivore; catches minute flies, beetles, and aerial spiders while foraging near cave roosts. | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Edible-nest Swiftlet
Rapid twittering; 'chip-chip-chip' over Southeast Asian coast; strong echolocation clicks distinctive in cave roosts; colonial nester; calls produce audible clicking chorus in caves
African Swift
Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.
Geographic Range & Migration
Edible-nest Swiftlet
Found from the Andaman Islands east through Southeast Asia to Borneo and the Philippines. Produces edible nests used in bird's nest soup.
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
Edible-nest Swiftlet
African Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Edible-nest Swiftlet
Small; dark grey-brown upperparts; pale buff-grey rump band; underparts pale whitish-grey; forked tail; Southeast Asian species prized for white saliva nests used in bird's nest soup; plumage unremarkable but economically …
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
Edible-nest Swiftlet
A medium-sized swiftlet (12-13 cm) found from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through Southeast Asia to Indonesia and the Philippines. Dark plumage. Famous for building nests almost entirely of solidified saliva, the primary ingredient in bird's nest soup, a luxury food item in East Asia.
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.