Atiu Swiftlet vs Alpine Swift
Aerodramus sawtelli compared with Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Atiu Swiftlet | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aerodramus sawtelli | Tachymarptis melba |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 23.2 cm (9.1 in) | 43.9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Weight | 8.6 g (0.30 oz) | 97.5 g (3.44 oz) |
| Diet | Small aerial insectivore feeding on minute flying insects and spiders; forages over forest canopy and … | Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Atiu Swiftlet
Very high thin twittering; 'tsit' calls over Cook Islands; audible echolocation clicks inside Atiu makatea caves; vulnerable endemic; vocal near cave entrances only
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
Geographic Range & Migration
Atiu Swiftlet
Endemic to Atiu Island in the southern Cook Islands. Resident on this single island; nests in limestone caves. Small and vulnerable population.
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
Atiu Swiftlet
Alpine Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Atiu Swiftlet
Tiny; dark grey-brown upperparts; pale grey rump band; underparts whitish-grey; forked tail; Cook Islands endemic restricted to Atiu Island; extremely small range and vulnerable status; plumage similar to Polynesian Swiftlet.
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
Atiu Swiftlet
A small swiftlet (10 cm) endemic to the island of Atiu in the Cook Islands of the South Pacific. Dark plumage. Aerial insectivore. Nests in small caves and sinkholes (makatea) on the raised coral island. One of the most range-restricted swiftlets, with a tiny population.
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.