Mayr's Swiftlet vs Alpine Swift
Aerodramus orientalis compared with Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mayr's Swiftlet | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aerodramus orientalis | Tachymarptis melba |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) | 43.9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Weight | 13.3 g (0.47 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 | -- | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Mayr's Swiftlet
Thin twittering calls; 'tsit-tsit' notes; echolocation clicks used in caves; data deficient species from Melanesia; poorly documented; calls indistinguishable from related species
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mayr's Swiftlet
Found in the mountains of New Guinea (Jayawijaya and Saruwaged ranges) at 1,500–3,400 m. Resident in montane forest. Poorly known.
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
Mayr's Swiftlet
Alpine Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Mayr's Swiftlet
Small; dark brownish-grey upperparts with slight gloss; pale grey rump band; underparts pale whitish-grey; forked tail; Eastern Melanesian swiftlet; closely resembles Uniform Swiftlet but differs in rump contrast and geographic …
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
Mayr's Swiftlet
A small swiftlet (10-11 cm) found in New Guinea and adjacent islands. Dark plumage. Aerial insectivore. Colonial cave nester using echolocation. Named after Ernst Mayr. Taxonomy has been revised repeatedly. Limited ecological data available.
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.