Edible-nest Swiftlet vs Alpine Swift
Aerodramus fuciphagus compared with Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Edible-nest Swiftlet | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aerodramus fuciphagus | Tachymarptis melba |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 22.6 cm (8.9 in) | 43.9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Weight | 13.040000000000001 g (0.46 oz) | 97.5 g (3.44 oz) |
| Diet | Obligate aerial insectivore; catches minute flies, beetles, and aerial spiders while foraging near cave roosts. | Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-4 |
| 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
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
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.
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
Edible-nest Swiftlet
Alpine 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 …
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
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.
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.