White-throated Swift vs African Swift
Aeronautes saxatalis compared with Apus barbatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-throated Swift | African Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aeronautes saxatalis | Apus barbatus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 28.1 cm (11.1 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 34.03 g (1.20 oz) | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) |
| Diet | Aerial insectivore relying entirely on flying insects (midges, gnats, small beetles) and airborne spiders. | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … |
| Clutch Size | 3-6 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
White-throated Swift only
African Swift only
None
Song & Call Comparison
White-throated Swift
Sharp, whistled notes alternating with buzzy trills; crisp di-di-dit pattern repeated rhythmically during swift soaring flights.
African Swift
Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.
Geographic Range & Migration
White-throated Swift
Found in western North America from British Columbia south through the Rocky Mountains to Central America. Partially migratory northward.
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
White-throated Swift
African Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
White-throated Swift
Black upperparts; bold white throat and white flanks extending to white central underparts; black sides of breast and belly create striking tricoloured pattern; white lateral tail spots; Western North American …
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
White-throated Swift
A medium-sized swift (15-17 cm) with striking black and white plumage, unique among North American swifts. White throat, breast, and flank patches contrast with black body. Found in canyons and cliffs of western North America. Aerial insectivore; resident in southern range.
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.