Volcano Swiftlet vs Alpine Swift
Aerodramus vulcanorum compared with Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Volcano Swiftlet | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aerodramus vulcanorum | Tachymarptis melba |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 24.0 cm (9.4 in) | 43.9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Weight | 14.4 g (0.51 oz) | 97.5 g (3.44 oz) |
| Diet | Entirely aerial diet of tiny insects and spiders; forages in large flocks over open country … | Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 1-4 |
| 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
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
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.
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
Volcano Swiftlet
Alpine 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 …
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
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.
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.