Andean Swift vs Alpine Swift
Aeronautes andecolus compared with Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andean Swift | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aeronautes andecolus | Tachymarptis melba |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 28.0 cm (11.0 in) | 43.9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Weight | 17.1 g (0.60 oz) | 97.5 g (3.44 oz) |
| Diet | Entirely aerial insectivore consuming swarms of tiny flies, winged ants, and ballooning spiders on the … | 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
Andean Swift
Melodic whistled phrase with clear flute-like quality; gentle ascending series of pure notes echoing across high Andean slopes.
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
Geographic Range & Migration
Andean Swift
Found along the Andes from Peru and Bolivia south to Chile and Argentina at 2,000–4,500 m. Resident in Andean valleys and rocky slopes.
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
Andean Swift
Alpine Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Andean Swift
Dark blackish-brown upperparts; white throat and white flanks; slightly less bold white patterning than White-throated Swift; Andean high-altitude specialist ranging Peru to Argentina; similar plumage to congeners but geographically separated.
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
Andean Swift
A medium-sized swift (14-16 cm) of the high Andes from Peru to Argentina, typically found at 2,500-4,500 m elevation. Brown plumage with a white collar and belly. Aerial insectivore, foraging over high-altitude puna grassland and mountain slopes. One of the highest-flying swifts.
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.