Volcano Swiftlet vs African Swift
Aerodramus vulcanorum compared with Apus barbatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Volcano Swiftlet | African Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aerodramus vulcanorum | Apus barbatus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 24.0 cm (9.4 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 14.4 g (0.51 oz) | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) |
| Diet | Entirely aerial diet of tiny insects and spiders; forages in large flocks over open country … | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Song & Call Comparison
Volcano Swiftlet
High twittering calls; thin 'tsit' notes over Javan volcanic mountains; echolocation clicks in cave roosts; slightly larger than many swiftlets; calls produce soft chattering
African Swift
Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.
Geographic Range & Migration
Volcano Swiftlet
Endemic to the volcanoes of Java at 1,000–3,400 m. Resident in montane forest near active and dormant craters. Very restricted range.
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
Volcano Swiftlet
African Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Volcano Swiftlet
Small; dark sooty-brown upperparts; grey-brown rump barely paler than back; underparts dark grey-brown; forked tail; restricted to Java's volcanoes; notably lacks a distinct pale rump band contrasting with the dark …
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
Volcano Swiftlet
A small swiftlet (10-11 cm) endemic to highland volcanic areas of Java, Sumatra, and Bali, Indonesia. Dark plumage. Aerial insectivore, foraging over montane forests above 1,000 m. Colonial nester in volcanic caves. Closely related to Himalayan Swiftlet.
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.